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.
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
B minor over D (1st inversion)
ii C sharp minor
C sharp minor over E (1st inversion)
III D
D over F sharp (1st inversion)
IV E
E over G sharp (1st inversion)
v F sharp minor
F sharp minor 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
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.
Notes and intervals
| 1 | BB | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | C#C♯ | Major 2nd |
| 3 | DD | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | EE | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | F#F♯ | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | G#G♯ | Major 6th |
| 7 | AA | 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 | B | C sharp | D | E | F sharp | G sharp | A | B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 in other keys
Modes
The same notes, starting on a different note.