About the E Dorian scale
E 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 E Mixolydian with the third lowered.
Its notes are E, F♯, G, A, B, C♯, and D. The formula is W H W W W H W. It is the second mode of D Major.
Also called Kafi and Kharaharapriya.
On the piano, the scale touches the black keys F♯ and C♯.
Chords in the key of E Dorian
Expand a chord to see how to play it.
i E minor
E minor over G (1st inversion)
ii F sharp minor
F sharp minor over A (1st inversion)
III G
G over B (1st inversion)
IV A
A over C sharp (1st inversion)
v B minor
B minor 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
The four-note version of each chord, richer and jazzier.
i E minor seven
E minor seven
ii F sharp minor seven
F sharp minor seven
III G major seven
G major seven
IV A seven
A seven
v B minor seven
B minor seven
vi° C sharp minor seven flat five
C sharp minor seven flat five
VII D major seven
D major seven
Progressions in E Dorian
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 | BB | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | C#C♯ | Major 6th |
| 7 | DD | 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 | E | F sharp | G | A | B | C sharp | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Shapes
Chromatic
Circle of Fifths
Related scales
Dorian in other keys
Modes
The same notes, starting on a different note.