Common
About the A Dorian scale
A Dorian is used for funk, jazz, Celtic tunes and moody-but-groovy rock like "So What" and "Scarborough Fair". Think of it as a minor scale with a hopeful lift, thanks to its raised sixth. It is A Mixolydian with the third lowered.
Its notes are A, B, C, D, E, F♯, and G. The formula is W H W W W H W. It is the second mode of G Major.
Also called Kafi and Kharaharapriya.
On the piano, the mode touches the black key F♯. A Dorian runs five white keys in a row on the piano.
Chords in the key of A Dorian
Expand a chord to see how to play it.
Position 2 of 3
A minor over C (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
B minor over D (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
C over E (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
D over F sharp (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
E minor over G (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
F sharp diminished over A (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
G over B (1st inversion)
Seventh chords in A Dorian
The four-note version of each chord, richer and jazzier.
A minor seven
B minor seven
C major seven
D seven
E minor seven
F sharp minor seven flat five
G major seven
Progressions in A Dorian
Tap any chord to hear it, or play the whole progression.
Common
Notes and intervals
| 1 | AA | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | BB | Major 2nd |
| 3 | CC | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | DD | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | EE | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | F#F♯ | Major 6th |
| 7 | GG | Minor 7th |
| Steps | W H W W W H W |
|---|---|
| Semitones | 2-1-2-2-2-1-2 |
| Degrees | 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7 |
Fingering
Suggested fingering, follows standard fingering rules
| Hand | A | B | C | D | E | F sharp | G | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Shapes
Chromatic
Circle of Fifths
Related scales
Dorian in other keys
C Dorian scaleD flat Dorian scaleD Dorian scaleE flat Dorian scaleE Dorian scaleF Dorian scaleG flat Dorian scaleG Dorian scaleA flat Dorian scaleB flat Dorian scaleB Dorian scale
Modes
The same notes, starting on a different note.
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