Dorian mode
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.
Its formula is 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7: seven notes, minor with a bright sixth.
Make a beat in D minorOpens the free editor with a trap beat in D minor to play D dorian over. No account needed to start.
Hear the dorian mode
Here on D, D dorian. From the root up to the root: whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half, whole. Tap a key to hear it.
D E F G A B C D
| Degree | On D | From the root |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | Root |
| 2 | E | Major second |
| ♭3 | F | Minor third |
| 4 | G | Perfect fourth |
| 5 | A | Perfect fifth |
| 6 | B | Major sixth |
| ♭7 | C | Minor seventh |
Its chords, one on each note: i ii ♭III IV v vi° ♭VII. On D that is Dm Em F G Am Bdim C.
The dorian mode in every key
The same steps from each of the twelve notes. Open one for its keyboard, its chords and a beat to play it over.
| Scale | Notes |
|---|---|
| C dorian | C D E♭ F G A B♭ |
| C♯ dorian | C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ A♯ B |
| D dorian | D E F G A B C |
| E♭ dorian | E♭ F G♭ A♭ B♭ C D♭ |
| E dorian | E F♯ G A B C♯ D |
| F dorian | F G A♭ B♭ C D E♭ |
| F♯ dorian | F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D♯ E |
| G dorian | G A B♭ C D E F |
| G♯ dorian | G♯ A♯ B C♯ D♯ E♯ F♯ |
| A dorian | A B C D E F♯ G |
| B♭ dorian | B♭ C D♭ E♭ F G A♭ |
| B dorian | B C♯ D E F♯ G♯ A |
Questions about the dorian mode
What is the dorian mode?
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.
What is the formula of the dorian mode?
1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7: 7 notes, counted from the major scale on the same root. Its steps from the root up to the root are: whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half, whole.
How do I play the dorian mode in any key?
Start on any note and follow the steps above. A dorian: A B C D E F♯ G; C dorian: C D E♭ F G A B♭; E dorian: E F♯ G A B C♯ D. Every key is on this page, each with its own page and keyboard.
Build a song on the dorian mode
Start with the beat, then add chords, a melody and your voice in the editor, part by part.
Keep going
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