Chord Colors

C♯ Dorian scale

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.

Learn more about the C♯ Dorian scale

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
Position 2 of 3

C sharp minor over E (1st inversion)

ii D sharp minor
Position 2 of 3

D sharp minor over F sharp (1st inversion)

III E
Position 2 of 3

E over G sharp (1st inversion)

IV F sharp
Position 2 of 3

F sharp over A sharp (1st inversion)

v G sharp minor
Position 2 of 3

G sharp minor over B (1st inversion)

vi° A sharp diminished
Position 2 of 3

A sharp diminished over C sharp (1st inversion)

VII B
Position 2 of 3

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.

Common
Common

Notes and intervals

1C#C♯Root
2D#D♯Major 2nd
3EEMinor 3rd
4F#F♯Perfect 4th
5G#G♯Perfect 5th
6A#A♯Major 6th
7BBMinor 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 C sharpD sharpEF sharpG sharpA sharpBC sharp
Right hand23123412
Left hand32143213

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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Db Dorian scale on piano shown as colored note dots
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