About the E Dorian b5 scale
E 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 E, F♯, G, A, B♭, C♯, and D. The formula is W H W H 1½ H W. It is the second mode of D Harmonic Major.
Also called Maqam Karcigar.
This scale draws three black keys from the piano, F♯, B♭, and C♯.
Chords in the key of E Dorian b5
Expand a chord to see how to play it.
i° E diminished
E diminished over G (1st inversion)
ii F sharp minor
F sharp minor over A (1st inversion)
iii G minor
G minor over B flat (1st inversion)
IV A
A over C sharp (1st inversion)
V+ B flat augmented
B flat augmented over D (1st inversion)
vi° C sharp diminished
C sharp diminished over E (1st inversion)
VII D
D over F sharp (1st inversion)
Seventh chords in E Dorian b5
The four-note version of each chord, richer and jazzier.
i° E minor seven flat five
E minor seven flat five
ii F sharp minor seven
F sharp minor seven
iii G minor major seven
G minor major seven
IV A seven
A seven
V+ B flat major seven sharp five
B flat major seven sharp five
vi° C sharp diminished seven
C sharp diminished seven
VII D major seven
D major seven
Progressions in E Dorian b5
Tap any chord to hear it, or play the whole progression.
Notes and intervals
| 1 | EE | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | F#F♯ | Major 2nd |
| 3 | GG | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | AA | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | BbB♭ | Diminished 5th |
| 6 | C#C♯ | Major 6th |
| 7 | DD | 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 | E | F sharp | G | A | B flat | C sharp | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.