A Dorian
Piano scale diagramIntermediate
A Dorian Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A Dorian scale is the second mode of the major scale, offering a soulful and sophisticated minor sound. On Piano, it contains the notes A, B, C, D, E, F#, G. Because it features a major sixth, it sounds brighter and more hopeful than the natural minor. It is the go-to scale for jazz, funk, and modal blues. The diatonic chords of A Dorian are Am7, Bm7, CMaj7, D7, Em7, F#m7b5, GMaj7. Commonly used in Funk, Jazz, Fusion, Neo-Soul, Blues. Notable players include Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, D'Angelo. Use over m7, m9, m11, m13 chords. The go-to scale for any minor chord in funk, jazz, and soul. Works especially well over long minor vamps.
Notes: A, B, C, D, E, F#, G
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6M, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7
Formula: W-H-W-W-W-H-W
Number of notes: 7
Diatonic Chords
Am7 — Bm7 — CMaj7 — D7 — Em7 — F#m7♭5 — GMaj7
Musical Character
The natural 6th degree (vs b6 in Aeolian) gives Dorian its signature 'hopeful minor' character — darker than major, but brighter than natural minor.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Funk, Jazz, Fusion, Neo-Soul, Blues
Notable players: Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, D'Angelo
How to Use the A Dorian Scale
Use over m7, m9, m11, m13 chords. The go-to scale for any minor chord in funk, jazz, and soul. Works especially well over long minor vamps.
Origin & Background
Named after the ancient Greek Dorians. Central to modal jazz since Miles Davis's Kind of Blue (1959).
Related Scales
Dorian is the 2nd mode of the Major scale. View A Major scale
Chord Progressions Using This Scale
- I – V – vi – IV (Pop Progression)Pop / Rock — Hope & Joy
- vi – IV – I – V (Melancholic Variation)Pop / Rock — Melancholy
- ii – V – I (Jazz ii–V–I)Jazz / Soul — Sophistication
- ii – bII7 – I (Tritone Substitution)Jazz / Soul — Mystery & Tension
- IV – V – iii – vi (Royal Road (J-Pop))World / J-Pop — Yearning & Nostalgia
- IV – V – iii – vi – ii – V – I (Japanese Circle)World / J-Pop — Complete Resolution
- i – iv – i – V (Minor Blues)Blues — Melancholy
- i – VI – III – VII (Cinematic Minor)Contemporary / Film — Dramatic & Dark
- vi – viM7 – vi7 – II (Descending Minor Cliché)Classical / Pop — Romance & Intrigue
- iv – ♭VII – I (Backdoor Cadence)Jazz / Soul — Soulful & Unexpected
The A Dorian scale contains 7 notes (A, B, C, D, E, F#, G). Use the interactive piano diagram above to explore this scale on Piano.