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F dorian mode

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

Make a beat in F minor

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

The notes of F dorian

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

F G A♭ B♭ C D E♭ F

FGCDFA♭B♭E♭
The notes of F dorian mode by scale degree
DegreeNoteFrom the root
1FRoot
2GMajor second
♭3A♭Minor third
4B♭Perfect fourth
5CPerfect fifth
6DMajor sixth
♭7E♭Minor seventh

How F dorian is built

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

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 F dorian

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

Play F dorian over a beat

A beat on the chords of F 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 F dorian

What notes are in the F dorian mode?

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

What key is F dorian in?

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

How is F dorian different from F minor?

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

Build a song in F dorian

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