F# Mixolydian B6 Piano Scale
Piano scale diagramAdvanced
F# Mixolydian B6 Scale — Notes and Intervals
The F# Mixolydian B6 scale is a melancholic dominant scale used when a song is in a major key but the dominant chord needs to resolve into a minor key. On Piano, the notes are F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D, E. It provides a bridge between the bright major and the sad minor worlds, perfect for emotional transitions. Commonly used in Jazz, Film Scores, Classical, Melodic Metal. Notable players include Hans Zimmer, Ennio Morricone. Use over dominant 7th chords that resolve to minor (V7 → im). The scale that bridges major happiness and minor sadness.
Notes: F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D, E
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 4P, 5P, 6m, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 5 b6 b7
Formula: W-W-H-W-H-W-W
Number of notes: 7
Also known as: melodic minor fifth mode, hindu
Musical Character
A 'sad dominant' — major 3rd says happy, b6 says sad, b7 says dominant. This emotional contradiction makes it perfect for scenes of bittersweet triumph or pyrrhic victory.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Jazz, Film Scores, Classical, Melodic Metal
Notable players: Hans Zimmer, Ennio Morricone
How to Use the F# Mixolydian B6 Scale
Use over dominant 7th chords that resolve to minor (V7 → im). The scale that bridges major happiness and minor sadness.
Origin & Background
Also called the Hindu scale or Aeolian Dominant. The fifth mode of the melodic minor.
How to Play F# Mixolydian B6 on Piano
On piano, the F# Mixolydian B6 scale uses 4 black keys. With several black keys involved, let the thumb naturally fall on white keys where possible. Practice hands separately at first, paying attention to smooth thumb-under transitions.
The F# Mixolydian B6 scale contains 4 sharps (F#, G#, A#, C#). Its relative minor is D minor, which shares the same notes.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the F# Mixolydian B6 scale ascending and descending at 100 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (F#-A#, G#-B) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on F# to let the characteristic intervals of the Mixolydian B6 scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in jazz contexts.
Piano Tips
At the piano, try voicing the F# Mixolydian B6 scale in the left hand as blocked intervals (thirds or sixths) while the right hand plays the melody. This develops your harmonic ear and comping skills simultaneously. Aim for a melancholic quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
Mixolydian B6 is the 5th mode of the Melodic Minor scale (Hindu scale). View F# Melodic minor scale
The F# Mixolydian B6 scale contains 7 notes (F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D, E). Use the interactive piano diagram above to explore this scale on Piano.