E 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
1Eroot
2F♯ (F sharp)major second
3Gminor third
4Aperfect fourth
5Bperfect fifth
6C♯ (C sharp)major sixth
7Dminor 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 D major scale, starting from another degree.

Chords of the scale

Triads built on each degree:

  1. Emi
  2. F♯mii
  3. GIII
  4. AIV
  5. Bmv
  6. C♯dimvi°
  7. DVII

Other E scales

The same scale in other keys