About the A Dorian b5 scale
A Dorian b5 is used for jazz solos and moody, unsettled passages. Think of it as a dorian minor with a flat fifth, dark and off balance.
Its notes are A, B, C, D, E♭, F♯, and G. The formula is W H W H 1½ H W. It is the second mode of G Harmonic Major.
Also called Maqam Karcigar.
The black keys E♭ and F♯ belong to the key. This mode lines up four white keys back to back.
Chords in the key of A Dorian b5
Expand a chord to see how to play it.
i° A diminished
A diminished over C (1st inversion)
ii B minor
B minor over D (1st inversion)
iii C minor
C minor over E flat (1st inversion)
IV D
D over F sharp (1st inversion)
V+ E flat augmented
E flat augmented over G (1st inversion)
vi° F sharp diminished
F sharp diminished over A (1st inversion)
VII G
G over B (1st inversion)
Seventh chords in A Dorian b5
The four-note version of each chord, richer and jazzier.
i° A minor seven flat five
A minor seven flat five
ii B minor seven
B minor seven
iii C minor major seven
C minor major seven
IV D seven
D seven
V+ E flat major seven sharp five
E flat major seven sharp five
vi° F sharp diminished seven
F sharp diminished seven
VII G major seven
G major seven
Progressions in A Dorian b5
Tap any chord to hear it, or play the whole progression.
Notes and intervals
| 1 | AA | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | BB | Major 2nd |
| 3 | CC | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | DD | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | EbE♭ | Diminished 5th |
| 6 | F#F♯ | Major 6th |
| 7 | GG | Minor 7th |
| Steps | W H W H 1½ H W |
|---|---|
| Semitones | 2-1-2-1-3-1-2 |
| Degrees | 1 2 ♭3 4 ♭5 6 ♭7 |
Fingering
Suggested fingering, follows standard fingering rules
| Hand | A | B | C | D | E flat | F sharp | G | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Shapes
Chromatic
Circle of Fifths
Related scales
Dorian b5 in other keys
Modes
The same notes, starting on a different note.