C 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
1Croot
2Dmajor second
3E♭ (E flat)minor third
4Fperfect fourth
5Gperfect fifth
6Amajor sixth
7B♭ (B flat)minor 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 B flat major scale, starting from another degree.

Chords of the scale

Triads built on each degree:

  1. Cmi
  2. Dmii
  3. E♭III
  4. FIV
  5. Gmv
  6. Adimvi°
  7. B♭VII

Other C scales

The same scale in other keys