B 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
1Broot
2C♯ (C sharp)major second
3Dminor third
4Eperfect fourth
5F♯ (F sharp)perfect fifth
6G♯ (G sharp)major sixth
7Aminor 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 A major scale, starting from another degree.

Chords of the scale

Triads built on each degree:

  1. Bmi
  2. C♯mii
  3. DIII
  4. EIV
  5. F♯mv
  6. G♯dimvi°
  7. AVII

Other B scales

The same scale in other keys