D 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
1Droot
2Emajor second
3Fminor third
4Gperfect fourth
5Aperfect fifth
6Bmajor sixth
7Cminor 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 C major scale, starting from another degree.

Chords of the scale

Triads built on each degree:

  1. Dmi
  2. Emii
  3. FIII
  4. GIV
  5. Amv
  6. Bdimvi°
  7. CVII

Other D scales

The same scale in other keys