About the C sharp Dorian scale
C sharp 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 C♯ Mixolydian with the third lowered.
Its notes are C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A♯, and B. The formula is W H W W W H W. It is the second mode of B Major.
Also called Kafi and Kharaharapriya.
The key draws five black keys from the piano, C♯, D♯, F♯, G♯, and A♯.
Chords in the key of C sharp Dorian
Expand a chord to see how to play it.
i C sharp minor
C sharp minor over E (1st inversion)
ii D sharp minor
D sharp minor over F sharp (1st inversion)
III E
E over G sharp (1st inversion)
IV F sharp
F sharp over A sharp (1st inversion)
v G sharp minor
G sharp minor over B (1st inversion)
vi° A sharp diminished
A sharp diminished over C sharp (1st inversion)
VII B
B over D sharp (1st inversion)
Seventh chords in C sharp Dorian
The four-note version of each chord, richer and jazzier.
i C sharp minor seven
C sharp minor seven
ii D sharp minor seven
D sharp minor seven
III E major seven
E major seven
IV F sharp seven
F sharp seven
v G sharp minor seven
G sharp minor seven
vi° A sharp minor seven flat five
A sharp minor seven flat five
VII B major seven
B major seven
Progressions in C sharp Dorian
Tap any chord to hear it, or play the whole progression.
Notes and intervals
| 1 | C#C♯ | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | D#D♯ | Major 2nd |
| 3 | EE | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | F#F♯ | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | G#G♯ | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | A#A♯ | Major 6th |
| 7 | BB | 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 | C sharp | D sharp | E | F sharp | G sharp | A sharp | B | C sharp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| Left hand | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Shapes
Chromatic
Circle of Fifths
Related scales
Dorian in other keys
Modes
The same notes, starting on a different note.