Mixolydian b2 is a dominant scale with a flat 2nd. It combines the major 3rd and b7 of Mixolydian with the dark b2 of Phrygian. The result is a tense, exotic dominant sound - great for V7 chords that need extra color.
Scale Formula
1 b2 3 4 5 6 b7 - Mixolydian with flat 2. Semitone pattern: H WH H W W H W
Fretboard (C Mixolydian b2)
Toggle to interval view to see the b2 sitting next to the major 3rd. The augmented 2nd between b2 and 3 is the harmonic major system's signature interval at work in a dominant context.
Common Chords
Dominant 7th (1 3 5 b7), Dom 7b9 (1 3 5 b7 b9), Dom 13 b9.
Diatonic Harmony
Improvisation Context
Play over dominant 7th (b9) chords. Similar to Phrygian Dominant but with a natural 6 instead of b6, giving it a different upper structure. Works well over V7 resolving to major.
Characteristic Note
The b2 against a major 3rd is the defining feature. Regular Mixolydian has a natural 2, and Phrygian Dominant has a b6 - Mixolydian b2 keeps the natural 6 from Mixolydian while borrowing the b2 from Phrygian. The augmented 2nd between b2 and natural 3 gives dominant chords a tense, Spanish-tinged quality without the full darkness of Phrygian Dominant.
Practice
Play C Mixolydian b2 over a C7 drone. Compare it with regular C Mixolydian - the only change is the 2nd degree (D vs Db). Then compare with C Phrygian Dominant (1 b2 3 4 5 b6 b7) - notice that both have b2 and major 3, but Mixolydian b2 has a natural 6. Improvise phrases that use the b2 as a chromatic approach to the root from above or as a tension resolving to the 3rd.