Given a C major Scale, with C as root:
C D E F G A B
now make the 7th. step minor, and keeping C as root (not switching to F Major)
C D E F G A Bb
What is the term / name for this key?
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3Thanks for adding a question and an accurate answer! I’m voting to close this question for the future, just because it's a basic piece of reference knowledge that can be obtained elsewhere with more context. I hope you stick around, and check out the topics covered here.– Andy BonnerAug 8, 2022 at 15:58
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1Check out my animated mode wheel here: b-p-thomas.github.io When this first displays it shows C Ionian, but if you click the [>] button once, it will flatten the B to Bb, and indicate that you're now playing C Mixolydian instead of C Ionian. Enjoy.– Brian THOMASAug 10, 2022 at 11:51
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Brian, that animated mode wheel app works fantastically. very illustrative - understanding by geometry makes it so much easier. Thanks a bunch! Greetings & Happy Jamming!– HartmutAug 11, 2022 at 16:05
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4 Answers
Yes it is C mixolydian.
The formula for mixolydian scales is WWHWWHW, so if you put it on c it wI'll be like that. Hope this helps.
What is the term / name for this key?
The key is C major, because the chord built on the first step is C major. Or to be more specific, it's most probably C major, as I presume in your composition C major chord would function as a tonic chord, the chord resolving the tension.
The scale, as the others said is C mixolydian.
As you noticed C mixolydian has the same notes as F major scale. It is a called a mode of F major. As the F major scale has 7 notes, it has seven modes: F ionian (same as F major scale), G dorian, A phrygian, Bb lydian, C mixolydian, D aeolian and E locrian.
answered Aug 9, 2022 at 23:09
Modes work from parent keys/scales. The parent for that set of notes is F major.
The 5th mode of F major, using C as the root, is the Mixolydian of F, more often called C Mixolydian. Not so much a key (as you thought), but as a 'scale', properly known as a mode.
Now I think the answer is:
It is C Mixolydian.
