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