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