Learn the B Dorian scale — notes, intervals, chords, modes, and more.
The B Dorian scale contains the following notes:
B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G♯ – AThe scale degrees of the B Dorian scale are:
1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7| Scale Degree | Note |
|---|---|
| 1 | B |
| 2 | C♯ |
| ♭3 | D |
| 4 | E |
| 5 | F♯ |
| 6 | G♯ |
| ♭7 | A |
The B Dorian scale uses the interval pattern W, H, W, W, W, H, W
| From | To | Step |
|---|---|---|
| B | C♯ | W |
| C♯ | D | H |
| D | E | W |
| E | F♯ | W |
| F♯ | G♯ | W |
| G♯ | A | H |
| A | B | W |
| Scale Degree | Note | Interval from B |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | Perfect Unison |
| 2 | C♯ | Major 2nd |
| ♭3 | D | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | E | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | F♯ | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | G♯ | Major 6th |
| ♭7 | A | Minor 7th |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i | Bm | B, D, F♯ |
| ii | C♯m | C♯, E, G♯ |
| III | D | D, F♯, A |
| IV | E | E, G♯, B |
| v | F♯m | F♯, A, C♯ |
| vi° | G♯dim | G♯, B, D |
| VII | A | A, C♯, E |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i7 | Bm7 | B, D, F♯, A |
| ii7 | C♯m7 | C♯, E, G♯, B |
| IIImaj7 | Dmaj7 | D, F♯, A, C♯ |
| IV7 | E7 | E, G♯, B, D |
| v7 | F♯m7 | F♯, A, C♯, E |
| viø7 | G♯m7♭5 | G♯, B, D, F♯ |
| VIImaj7 | Amaj7 | A, C♯, E, G♯ |
The modes of B Dorian use the same notes but start on different scale degrees.
| Mode | Starting note | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A Ionian | A | A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯ |
| B Dorian | B | B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯, A |
| C♯ Phrygian | C♯ | C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯, A, B |
| D Lydian | D | D, E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯ |
| E Mixolydian | E | E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D |
| F♯ Aeolian | F♯ | F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D, E |
| G♯ Locrian | G♯ | G♯, A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯ |
B Dorian is the 2nd mode of the A major scale. Both share the same 7 notes — Dorian simply starts on the 2nd degree (B) instead of the root (A).
The only difference is the 6th degree. B Dorian has a major 6th (G♯), while B natural minor has a minor 6th. That raised 6th gives Dorian a brighter, slightly more hopeful character compared to natural minor's darker sound.
B Dorian has a minor 3rd (D) and a minor 7th (A), while B major has a major 3rd and major 7th. This gives Dorian a minor quality overall, but its major 6th (G♯) keeps it from sounding as dark as natural minor.