About the D flat Dorian scale
D flat 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 D♭ Mixolydian with the third lowered.
Its notes are D♭, E♭, F♭, G♭, A♭, B♭, and C♭. The formula is W H W W W H W. It is the second mode of C♭ Major.
Also called Kafi and Kharaharapriya.
The black keys D♭, E♭, G♭, A♭, and B♭ belong to this mode.
Chords in the key of D flat Dorian
Expand a chord to see how to play it.
i D flat minor
D flat minor over F flat (1st inversion)
ii E flat minor
E flat minor over G flat (1st inversion)
III F flat
F flat over A flat (1st inversion)
IV G flat
G flat over B flat (1st inversion)
v A flat minor
A flat minor over C flat (1st inversion)
vi° B flat diminished
B flat diminished over D flat (1st inversion)
VII C flat
C flat over E flat (1st inversion)
Seventh chords in D flat Dorian
The four-note version of each chord, richer and jazzier.
i D flat minor seven
D flat minor seven
ii E flat minor seven
E flat minor seven
III F flat major seven
F flat major seven
IV G flat seven
G flat seven
v A flat minor seven
A flat minor seven
vi° B flat minor seven flat five
B flat minor seven flat five
VII C flat major seven
C flat major seven
Progressions in D flat Dorian
Tap any chord to hear it, or play the whole progression.
Notes and intervals
| 1 | DbD♭ | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | EbE♭ | Major 2nd |
| 3 | FbF♭ | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | GbG♭ | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | AbA♭ | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | BbB♭ | Major 6th |
| 7 | CbC♭ | 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 | D flat | E flat | F flat | G flat | A flat | B flat | C flat | D flat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.