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C dorian mode

The C dorian mode is C D E♭ F G A B♭: seven notes, minor with a bright sixth. Its formula is 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7.

Make a beat in C minor

Opens the free editor with a trap beat in C minor to play C dorian over. No account needed to start.

The notes of C dorian

From C up to C: whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half, whole. Tap a key to hear it.

C D E♭ F G A B♭ C

CDFGACE♭B♭
The notes of C dorian mode by scale degree
DegreeNoteFrom the root
1CRoot
2DMajor second
♭3E♭Minor third
4FPerfect fourth
5GPerfect fifth
6AMajor sixth
♭7B♭Minor seventh

How C dorian is built

The B♭ major scale played from its second note, C: the same notes with C as home. Against C minor, the minor scale on the same note, it has A instead of A♭.

The major scale played from its second note: a minor scale with a raised sixth. Less dark than natural minor, it is heard in funk, jazz, soul and lo-fi. The dorian mode in every key.

Chords in C dorian

One chord on each note of the scale, built from its own notes. The numeral says which note it starts on, against the C major scale: capitals are major, small letters minor.

iCmiiDm♭IIIE♭IVFvGmvi°Adim♭VIIB♭

Play C dorian over a beat

A beat on the chords of C minor. Play the scale over it on the keyboard above, then open it in the editor and add your melody as its own part.

Hear it as

Questions about C dorian

What notes are in the C dorian mode?

C, D, E♭, F, G, A and B♭. Its formula is 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7, counted from the major scale on C, and its steps from C up to C are: whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half, whole.

What key is C dorian in?

C dorian uses the notes of B♭ major, starting on its second note, C. The notes are the same; making C home is what gives it its own sound.

How is C dorian different from C minor?

A instead of A♭: one note of the C minor scale changes, and that note gives C dorian its sound: minor with a bright sixth.

Dorian mode in every key

C dorianC♯ dorianD dorianE♭ dorianE dorianF dorianF♯ dorianG dorianG♯ dorianA dorianB♭ dorianB dorian

More scales on C

C major (major scale)C minor (natural minor scale)C major pentatonicC minor pentatonicC bluesC harmonic minorC melodic minorC dorianC phrygianC lydianC mixolydianC locrianC phrygian dominant
Scales and modes
Major and minor keysMajor pentatonic scaleMinor pentatonic scaleBlues scaleHarmonic minor scaleMelodic minor scaleDorian modePhrygian modeLydian modeMixolydian modeLocrian modePhrygian dominant scaleWhole tone scale

Build a song in C dorian

Start with the beat, then add chords, a melody and your voice in the editor, part by part.

Make a beat in C minorAll music scales

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