About the B flat Dorian b5 scale
B flat 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.
The black keys B♭, D♭, E♭, and A♭ belong to B♭ Dorian ♭5.
Chords in the key of B flat Dorian b5
Expand a chord to see how to play it.
i° B flat diminished
B flat diminished over D flat (1st inversion)
ii C minor
C minor over E flat (1st inversion)
iii D flat minor
D flat minor over F flat (1st inversion)
IV E flat
E flat over G (1st inversion)
V+ F flat augmented
F flat augmented over A flat (1st inversion)
vi° G diminished
G diminished over B flat (1st inversion)
VII A flat
A flat over C (1st inversion)
Seventh chords in B flat Dorian b5
The four-note version of each chord, richer and jazzier.
i° B flat minor seven flat five
B flat minor seven flat five
ii C minor seven
C minor seven
iii D flat minor major seven
D flat minor major seven
IV E flat seven
E flat seven
V+ F flat major seven sharp five
F flat major seven sharp five
vi° G diminished seven
G diminished seven
VII A flat major seven
A flat major seven
Progressions in B flat Dorian b5
Tap any chord to hear it, or play the whole progression.
Notes and intervals
| 1 | BbB♭ | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | CC | Major 2nd |
| 3 | DbD♭ | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | EbE♭ | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | FbF♭ | Diminished 5th |
| 6 | GG | Major 6th |
| 7 | AbA♭ | 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 flat | C | D flat | E flat | F flat | G | A flat | B flat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.