Chord Colors

D Dorian b5 scale

About the D Dorian b5 scale

D 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 D, E, F, G, A, B, and C. The formula is W H W H 1½ H W. It is the second mode of C Harmonic Major.

Also called Maqam Karcigar.

One of the notes in D Dorian 5 is a black key, A. This scale runs four white keys in a row on the piano.

Chords in the key of D Dorian b5

Expand a chord to see how to play it.

D diminished
Position 2 of 3

D diminished over F (1st inversion)

ii E minor
Position 2 of 3

E minor over G (1st inversion)

iii F minor
Position 2 of 3

F minor over A flat (1st inversion)

IV G
Position 2 of 3

G over B (1st inversion)

V+ A flat augmented
Position 2 of 3

A flat augmented over C (1st inversion)

vi° B diminished
Position 2 of 3

B diminished over D (1st inversion)

VII C
Position 2 of 3

C over E (1st inversion)

Seventh chords in D Dorian b5

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

D minor seven flat five

D minor seven flat five

ii E minor seven

E minor seven

iii F minor major seven

F minor major seven

IV G seven

G seven

V+ A flat major seven sharp five

A flat major seven sharp five

vi° B diminished seven

B diminished seven

VII C major seven

C major seven

Progressions in D Dorian b5

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

Notes and intervals

1DDRoot
2EEMajor 2nd
3FFMinor 3rd
4GGPerfect 4th
5AbA♭Diminished 5th
6BBMajor 6th
7CCMinor 7th
StepsW H W H 1½ H W
Semitones2-1-2-1-3-1-2
Degrees1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Fingering

Suggested fingering, follows standard fingering rules

Hand DEFGA flatBCD
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 b5 in other keys

Modes

The same notes, starting on a different note.

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D Dorian b5 scale on piano shown as colored note dots
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