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.
i° D diminished
D diminished over F (1st inversion)
ii E minor
E minor over G (1st inversion)
iii F minor
F minor over A flat (1st inversion)
IV G
G over B (1st inversion)
V+ A flat augmented
A flat augmented over C (1st inversion)
vi° B diminished
B diminished over D (1st inversion)
VII C
C over E (1st inversion)
Seventh chords in D Dorian b5
The four-note version of each chord, richer and jazzier.
i° 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
| 1 | DD | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | EE | Major 2nd |
| 3 | FF | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | GG | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | AbA♭ | Diminished 5th |
| 6 | BB | Major 6th |
| 7 | CC | 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 | D | E | F | G | A flat | B | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 b5 in other keys
Modes
The same notes, starting on a different note.