A Dorian mode on piano

The Dorian mode is a minor scale with a major sixth. Brighter than the natural minor, it is widely used in jazz, funk and rock.

On the keyboard

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Numbers above the keys are the scale degrees; the root is filled.

Notes of the scale

DegreeNoteInterval
1Aroot
2Bmajor second
3Cminor third
4Dperfect fourth
5Eperfect fifth
6F♯ (F sharp)major sixth
7Gminor seventh

Steps between notes: W – H – W – W – W – H – W (W = whole step, H = half step)

This mode uses the same notes as the G major scale, starting from another degree.

Chords of the scale

Triads built on each degree:

  1. Ami
  2. Bmii
  3. CIII
  4. DIV
  5. Emv
  6. F♯dimvi°
  7. GVII

Other A scales

The same scale in other keys