Learn the A Dorian scale — notes, intervals, chords, modes, and more.
The A Dorian scale contains the following notes:
A – B – C – D – E – F♯ – GThe scale degrees of the A Dorian scale are:
1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7| Scale Degree | Note |
|---|---|
| 1 | A |
| 2 | B |
| ♭3 | C |
| 4 | D |
| 5 | E |
| 6 | F♯ |
| ♭7 | G |
The A Dorian scale uses the interval pattern W, H, W, W, W, H, W
| From | To | Step |
|---|---|---|
| A | B | W |
| B | C | H |
| C | D | W |
| D | E | W |
| E | F♯ | W |
| F♯ | G | H |
| G | A | W |
| Scale Degree | Note | Interval from A |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Perfect Unison |
| 2 | B | Major 2nd |
| ♭3 | C | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | D | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | E | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | F♯ | Major 6th |
| ♭7 | G | Minor 7th |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i | Am | A, C, E |
| ii | Bm | B, D, F♯ |
| III | C | C, E, G |
| IV | D | D, F♯, A |
| v | Em | E, G, B |
| vi° | F♯dim | F♯, A, C |
| VII | G | G, B, D |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i7 | Am7 | A, C, E, G |
| ii7 | Bm7 | B, D, F♯, A |
| IIImaj7 | Cmaj7 | C, E, G, B |
| IV7 | D7 | D, F♯, A, C |
| v7 | Em7 | E, G, B, D |
| viø7 | F♯m7♭5 | F♯, A, C, E |
| VIImaj7 | Gmaj7 | G, B, D, F♯ |
The modes of A Dorian use the same notes but start on different scale degrees.
| Mode | Starting note | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| G Ionian | G | G, A, B, C, D, E, F♯ |
| A Dorian | A | A, B, C, D, E, F♯, G |
| B Phrygian | B | B, C, D, E, F♯, G, A |
| C Lydian | C | C, D, E, F♯, G, A, B |
| D Mixolydian | D | D, E, F♯, G, A, B, C |
| E Aeolian | E | E, F♯, G, A, B, C, D |
| F♯ Locrian | F♯ | F♯, G, A, B, C, D, E |
A Dorian is the 2nd mode of the G major scale. Both share the same 7 notes — Dorian simply starts on the 2nd degree (A) instead of the root (G).
The only difference is the 6th degree. A Dorian has a major 6th (F♯), while A natural minor has a minor 6th. That raised 6th gives Dorian a brighter, slightly more hopeful character compared to natural minor's darker sound.
A Dorian has a minor 3rd (C) and a minor 7th (G), while A major has a major 3rd and major 7th. This gives Dorian a minor quality overall, but its major 6th (F♯) keeps it from sounding as dark as natural minor.