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ENEN
Standard
Scales
Chords
G
Dorian
Frets: 0 - 24

Formula
Notes

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

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