June 12, 2008
Understanding Modes through Intervals on the Diatonic Kalimba
D Mixolydian Mode

This is the first step towards "minorness". We have stepped one notch along the circle of fifths, away from the major scale, in the direction of darkness and minor. If we start on the D, we almost have a major scale, except that the 7th is a whole step below the 8, represented in the plot by 7-, or a minor 7th. (This is different from a minor 7th chord, which has a minor 3rd in it - this mode has a major 3rd.)

One octave of the Mixolydian Scale.

Listen to the D Mixolydian Scale

Listen to jamming in the D mixolydian mode

This is a bit bluesy - still happy, but the flat 7th gives this scale just a bit of attitude. It is the "Dark Star" and "Roll Away the Dew" scale Jerry Garcia was so fond of.

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