A♭ Dorian Scale
The A♭ Dorian scale is the 2nd mode of the G♭ major scale, giving it a distinctive minor sound characterized by its raised 6th degree. This combination of a minor 3rd with a major 6th creates a smooth, versatile quality often heard in jazz, funk, folk, and rock, among other genres.
This page covers everything you need to know about the A♭ Dorian scale: notes, intervals, theory, and how to play it on the piano.
A♭ Dorian Scale Notes
The A♭ Dorian scale contains the following notes:
A♭ – B♭ – C♭ – D♭ – E♭ – F – G♭These notes come directly from the G♭ major parent scale, starting on its 2nd degree (A♭).
A♭ Dorian Piano Diagram
This diagram highlights which keys belong to the A♭ Dorian scale, which is helpful for visualizing whole steps, half steps, and the overall shape of the scale on the keyboard.
A♭ Dorian Scale Formula and Intervals
The interval formula for the Dorian scale is:
W – H – W – W – W – H – WApplied to A♭, this gives us:
- A♭ → B♭
- B♭ → C♭
- C♭ → D♭
- D♭ → E♭
- E♭ → F
- F → G♭
- G♭ → A♭
Thus, A♭ Dorian is built with the following scale degrees:
- Root (A♭)
- Major 2nd (B♭)
- Minor 3rd (C♭)
- Perfect 4th (D♭)
- Perfect 5th (E♭)
- Major 6th (F)
- Minor 7th (G♭)
This structure, especially the combination of the minor 3rd with the major 6th, gives the Dorian mode its characteristic quality.
Chords in the Key of A♭ Dorian
When stacking thirds on each scale degree of the A♭ Dorian scale, the following diatonic triads emerge:
- A♭ minor (i)
- B♭ minor (ii)
- C♭ major (III)
- D♭ major (IV)
- E♭ minor (v)
- F diminished (vi°)
- G♭ major (VII)
Related Scales and Modes
If you enjoy playing in A♭ Dorian, you may also like:
- A♭ minor (A♭ Dorian with a flat 6th)
- A♭ Mixolydian (Dorian with a raised 3rd)
- G♭ major (parent scale)
A♭ Dorian Scale FAQs
How is A♭ Dorian different from A♭ major?
A♭ Dorian has a minor 3rd (C♭) and minor 7th (G♭), while A♭ major has a major 3rd (C) and major 7th (G).
How is A♭ Dorian different from A♭ minor?
A♭ Dorian has a major 6th (F), while A♭ minor has a minor 6th (F♭).
What is the parent scale of A♭ Dorian?
G♭ major. A♭ Dorian uses the same notes as G♭ major, but starts on its 2nd degree (A♭).
Summary: A♭ Dorian Scale
- Notes: A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F, G♭
- Mode: 2nd mode of G♭ major
- Formula: W, H, W, W, W, H, W