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ENEN
Standard
Scales
Chords
B♭
Dorian
Frets: 0 - 24

Formula
Notes

M2-m2-M2-M2-M2-m2
B♭
C
D♭
E♭
F
G
A♭
G
F
C
A♭
E♭
B♭
F
1
D♭
2
G
B♭
F
C
G
3
A♭
E♭
D♭
A♭
4
C
G
5
B♭
F
D♭
A♭
E♭
B♭
6
7
C
G
E♭
B♭
F
C
8
D♭
A♭
D♭
9
F
C
G
10
E♭
B♭
D♭
A♭
E♭
11
G
12
F
C
A♭
E♭
B♭
F
13
D♭
14
G
B♭
F
C
G
15
A♭
E♭
D♭
A♭
16
C
G
17
B♭
F
D♭
A♭
E♭
B♭
18
19
C
G
E♭
B♭
F
C
20
D♭
A♭
D♭
21
F
C
G
22
E♭
B♭
D♭
A♭
E♭
23
G
24

Basic Scale Information

  • Name: Dorian Scale
  • Type: Minor modal scale
  • Formula: W - H - W - W - W - H - W (1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7)
  • Relation with Major Scale: Mode II (derived from the II degree of the major scale)

Theoretical Aspects

  • Sound Character: Balanced between melancholy and hope. The major 6th (vs. natural minor) gives it a 'jazzy' or 'Celtic' character, less dramatic than the Aeolian mode.
  • Typical Chord: ii7 (minor with minor seventh, used in jazz as a substitute for IV)
  • Modal Context: Used in jazz improvisations (e.g., on Miles Davis' 'So What') or in folk music. The ♭3 makes it minor, but the major 6th avoids Aeolian sadness.
  • Harmonic Use: Suspended modal harmony (e.g., d-7 to g-7 without resolution). Alternative to natural minor for a more modern sound.

Musical Context

  1. Musical Styles: Modal jazz, Fusion, Progressive rock, Celtic music
  2. Songs using the scale:
    • So What - Miles Davis
    • Scarborough Fair - traditional
    • Oye Como Va - Santana (Dorian influence)
  3. Evoked Atmosphere: Refined nostalgia, elegant mystery. Suitable for seascapes or medieval atmospheres.

Chords in Scale

B♭
B♭ Major Dominant 7 Suspended 4
B♭ Major Dominant 9 Suspended 4
B♭ Major Dominant 13 Suspended 4
B♭ Power chord
B♭ Suspended Second
B♭ Suspended Fourth
B♭ Minor
B♭ Minor 7
B♭ Minor 9
B♭ Minor 11
C
C Major Dominant 7 Suspended 4
C Power chord
C Suspended Fourth
C Minor
C Minor 6
C Minor 7
D♭
D♭ Major
D♭ Major 6
D♭ Major 7
D♭ Major 9
D♭ Power chord
D♭ Suspended Second
E♭
E♭ Major
E♭ Major Dominant 7
E♭ Major Dominant 9
E♭ Major Dominant 11
E♭ Major Dominant 7 Suspended 4
E♭ Major Dominant 9 Suspended 4
E♭ Major Dominant 13 Suspended 4
E♭ Major Dominant 13
E♭ Major 6
E♭ Power chord
E♭ Suspended Second
E♭ Suspended Fourth
F
F Major Dominant 7 Suspended 4
F Major Dominant 9 Suspended 4
F Power chord
F Suspended Second
F Suspended Fourth
F Minor
F Minor 6
F Minor 13
F Minor 7
F Minor 9
F Minor 11
G
G Diminished
G Half Diminished 7
A♭
A♭ Major
A♭ Major 6
A♭ Major 7
A♭ Major 9
A♭ Major 11
A♭ Major 13
A♭ Power chord
A♭ Suspended Second
A♭ Suspended Fourth