About the A sharp Dorian b5 scale
A sharp 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.
On the piano, A♯ Dorian ♭5 touches the black keys A♯, C♯, D♯, and G♯.
Chords in the key of A sharp Dorian b5
Expand a chord to see how to play it.
i° A sharp diminished
A sharp diminished over C sharp (1st inversion)
ii B sharp minor
B sharp minor over D sharp (1st inversion)
iii C sharp minor
C sharp minor over E (1st inversion)
IV D sharp
D sharp over F double sharp (1st inversion)
V+ E augmented
E augmented over G sharp (1st inversion)
vi° F double sharp diminished
F double sharp diminished over A sharp (1st inversion)
VII G sharp
G sharp over B sharp (1st inversion)
Seventh chords in A sharp Dorian b5
The four-note version of each chord, richer and jazzier.
i° A sharp minor seven flat five
A sharp minor seven flat five
ii B sharp minor seven
B sharp minor seven
iii C sharp minor major seven
C sharp minor major seven
IV D sharp seven
D sharp seven
V+ E major seven sharp five
E major seven sharp five
vi° F double sharp diminished seven
F double sharp diminished seven
VII G sharp major seven
G sharp major seven
Progressions in A sharp Dorian b5
Tap any chord to hear it, or play the whole progression.
Notes and intervals
| 1 | A#A♯ | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | B#B♯ | Major 2nd |
| 3 | C#C♯ | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | D#D♯ | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | EE | Diminished 5th |
| 6 | F##F♯♯ | Major 6th |
| 7 | G#G♯ | 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 sharp | B sharp | C sharp | D sharp | E | F double sharp | G sharp | A sharp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Left hand | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
Shapes
Chromatic
Circle of Fifths
Related scales
Dorian b5 in other keys
Modes
The same notes, starting on a different note.