About the B Dorian b5 scale
B 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 B, C♯, D, E, F, G♯, and A. The formula is W H W H 1½ H W. It is the second mode of A Harmonic Major.
Also called Maqam Karcigar.
Two of the notes in B Dorian ♭5 are black keys, C♯ and G♯.
Chords in the key of B Dorian b5
Expand a chord to see how to play it.
i° B diminished
B diminished over D (1st inversion)
ii C sharp minor
C sharp minor over E (1st inversion)
iii D minor
D minor over F (1st inversion)
IV E
E over G sharp (1st inversion)
V+ F augmented
F augmented over A (1st inversion)
vi° G sharp diminished
G sharp diminished over B (1st inversion)
VII A
A over C sharp (1st inversion)
Seventh chords in B Dorian b5
The four-note version of each chord, richer and jazzier.
i° B minor seven flat five
B minor seven flat five
ii C sharp minor seven
C sharp minor seven
iii D minor major seven
D minor major seven
IV E seven
E seven
V+ F major seven sharp five
F major seven sharp five
vi° G sharp diminished seven
G sharp diminished seven
VII A major seven
A major seven
Progressions in B Dorian b5
Tap any chord to hear it, or play the whole progression.
Notes and intervals
| 1 | BB | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | C#C♯ | Major 2nd |
| 3 | DD | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | EE | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | FF | Diminished 5th |
| 6 | G#G♯ | Major 6th |
| 7 | AA | 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 | B | C sharp | D | E | F | G sharp | A | B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 b5 in other keys
Modes
The same notes, starting on a different note.