Dorian and Mixolydian comparison
The Dorian mode compared to the Mixolydian mode with diagrams and explanation.
The Dorian and the Mixolydian modes are seven-note scales. The scales are similar, only one tone differs (as seen in the comparing tables below). Dorian is minor sounding with a minor 3rd whereas Mixolydian is dominant sounding with a flattened 7th. The rest of the notes are naturals in both cases.
A Dorian scale degrees and notes.
| 1 | 2 | b3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | b7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | B | C | D | E | F# | G |
A Mixolydian scale degrees and notes.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | b7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | B | C# | D | E | F# | G |
Notes of the Dorian and the Mixolydian mode in all keys.
| Scale | 1 | 2 | b3 / 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | b7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C Dorian | C | D | Eb | F | G | A | Bb |
| C Mixolydian | C | D | E | F | G | A | Bb |
| C# Dorian | C# | D# | E | F# | G# | A# | B |
| C# Mixolydian | C# | D# | E# | F# | G# | A# | B |
| D Dorian | D | E | F | G | A | B | C |
| D Mixolydian | D | E | F# | G | A | B | C |
| Eb Dorian | Eb | F | Gb | Ab | Bb | C | Db |
| Eb Mixolydian | Eb | F | G | Ab | Bb | C | Db |
| E Dorian | E | F# | G | A | B | C# | D |
| E Mixolydian | E | F# | G# | A | B | C# | D |
| F Dorian | F | G | Ab | Bb | C | D | Eb |
| F Mixolydian | F | G | A | Bb | C | D | Eb |
| F# Dorian | F# | G# | A | B | C# | D# | E |
| F# Mixolydian | F# | G# | A# | B | C# | D# | E |
| G Dorian | G | A | Bb | C | D | E | F |
| G Mixolydian | G | A | B | C | D | E | F |
| Ab Dorian | Ab | Bb | Cb | Db | Eb | F | Gb |
| Ab Mixolydian | Ab | Bb | C | Db | Eb | F | Gb |
| A Dorian | A | B | C | D | E | F# | G |
| A Mixolydian | A | B | C# | D | E | F# | G |
| Bb Dorian | Bb | C | Db | Eb | F | G | Ab |
| Bb Mixolydian | Bb | C | D | Eb | F | G | Ab |
| B Dorian | B | C# | D | E | F# | G# | A |
| B Mixolydian | B | C# | D# | E | F# | G# | A |
Notice that C# is the same as Db, D# is the same as Eb and so on.
Scale diagrams
The scale diagrams show A Dorian and A Mixolydian in two octaves (shape 1 in 5th position), with the root notes in darker color.
A Dorian
A Mixolydian
Graphic comparison
The scale diagram shows Dorian and Mixolydian modes merged (the extra Mixolydian notes in light green).
Scale box relationships
Dorian shape 1 is identical (besides the root notes) with Mixolydian shape 4, as seen below in 12th position.
E Dorian (shape 1)
A Mixolydian (shape 4)
