Dorian

2nd mode of Ionian (major)

Parent mode: Major 2nd below 1st scale degree. Or 7th note of Dorian scale.

Example: D Dorian is the 2nd mode of C Major (See #2 under ways to think about the scale).

Interesting or defining features:

Using only white keys, D Dorian is from D to D

Same as natural minor with a sharped (raised) 6th scale degree

Subtract one flat from a minor key signature with flats to find Dorian key

Example: D minor has 1 flat.  D Dorian has no flats.

Add one sharp to a minor key signature with sharps to find Dorian key

Example: E minor has 1 sharp (F#). E Dorian has 2 sharps (F# & C#).

Minor 2nds between scale degrees 2 & 3, 6 & 7

Chords that may be used with this scale: (examples in C Dorian)

MInor triad (C-Eb-G)

Minor 6 (C-Eb-G-A)

Minor 13 (C-Eb-G-Bb-D-F-A)

Minor 7 (C-Eb-G-Bb)

Minor 9 (C-Eb-G-Bb-D)

(Minor 13 includes all notes of Dorian)

Here are two ways to think about the Dorian mode:

1-Compare it to another scale

For example:

D Natural Minor:

D

E

F

G

A

Bb

C

D

D Dorian:

D

E

F

G

A

B

C

D

Note the difference on scale degree 6. Dorian has a raised 6th scale degree.

2-Think of the notes of the parent scale and invert it

For example:

C Major:

C

D

E

F

G

A

B

C

D Dorian:

D

E

F

G

A

B

C

D

min 2nd

min 2nd

Here are the 12 Dorian scales:

C

D

Eb

F

G

A

Bb

C

C#

D#

E

F#

G#

A#

B

C#

Half-steps between notes:

D

E

F

G

A

B

C

D

2-1-2-2-2-1-2

Eb

F

Gb

Ab

Bb

C

Db

Eb

E

F#

G

A

B

C#

D

E

F

G

Ab

Bb

C

D

Eb

F

F#

G#

A

B

C#

D#

E

F#

G

A

Bb

C

D

E

F

G

G#

A#

B

C#

D#

E#

F#

G#

A

B

C

D

E

F#

G

A

Bb

C

Db

Eb

F

G

Ab

Bb

B

C#

D

E

F#

G#

A

B