Chord Colors

B Dorian scale

About the B Dorian scale

B 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 B Mixolydian with the third lowered.

Its notes are B, C, D, E, F, G, and A. The formula is W H W W W H W. It is the second mode of A Major.

Also called Kafi and Kharaharapriya.

Learn more about the B Dorian scale

The key draws three black keys from the piano, C, F, and G.

Chords in the key of B Dorian

Expand a chord to see how to play it.

i B minor
Position 2 of 3

B minor over D (1st inversion)

ii C sharp minor
Position 2 of 3

C sharp minor over E (1st inversion)

III D
Position 2 of 3

D over F sharp (1st inversion)

IV E
Position 2 of 3

E over G sharp (1st inversion)

v F sharp minor
Position 2 of 3

F sharp minor over A (1st inversion)

vi° G sharp diminished
Position 2 of 3

G sharp diminished over B (1st inversion)

VII A
Position 2 of 3

A over C sharp (1st inversion)

Seventh chords in B Dorian

The four-note version of each chord, richer and jazzier.

i B minor seven

B minor seven

ii C sharp minor seven

C sharp minor seven

III D major seven

D major seven

IV E seven

E seven

v F sharp minor seven

F sharp minor seven

vi° G sharp minor seven flat five

G sharp minor seven flat five

VII A major seven

A major seven

Progressions in B Dorian

Tap any chord to hear it, or play the whole progression.

Common
Common

Notes and intervals

1BBRoot
2C#C♯Major 2nd
3DDMinor 3rd
4EEPerfect 4th
5F#F♯Perfect 5th
6G#G♯Major 6th
7AAMinor 7th
StepsW H W W W H W
Semitones2-1-2-2-2-1-2
Degrees1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Fingering

Suggested fingering, follows standard fingering rules

Hand BC sharpDEF sharpG sharpAB
Right hand12312345
Left hand43214321

Shapes

Chromatic

CC♯D♭DD♯E♭EFF♯G♭GG♯A♭AA♯B♭B

Circle of Fifths

CGDAEBF♯G♭C♯D♭G♯A♭D♯E♭A♯B♭F

Related scales

Dorian in other keys

Modes

The same notes, starting on a different note.

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B Dorian scale on piano shown as colored note dots
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