Learn the C Dorian scale — notes, intervals, chords, modes, and more.
The C Dorian scale contains the following notes:
C – D – E♭ – F – G – A – B♭The scale degrees of the C Dorian scale are:
1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7| Scale Degree | Note |
|---|---|
| 1 | C |
| 2 | D |
| ♭3 | E♭ |
| 4 | F |
| 5 | G |
| 6 | A |
| ♭7 | B♭ |
The C Dorian scale uses the interval pattern W, H, W, W, W, H, W
| From | To | Step |
|---|---|---|
| C | D | W |
| D | E♭ | H |
| E♭ | F | W |
| F | G | W |
| G | A | W |
| A | B♭ | H |
| B♭ | C | W |
| Scale Degree | Note | Interval from C |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | Perfect Unison |
| 2 | D | Major 2nd |
| ♭3 | E♭ | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | F | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | G | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | A | Major 6th |
| ♭7 | B♭ | Minor 7th |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i | Cm | C, E♭, G |
| ii | Dm | D, F, A |
| III | E♭ | E♭, G, B♭ |
| IV | F | F, A, C |
| v | Gm | G, B♭, D |
| vi° | Adim | A, C, E♭ |
| VII | B♭ | B♭, D, F |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i7 | Cm7 | C, E♭, G, B♭ |
| ii7 | Dm7 | D, F, A, C |
| IIImaj7 | E♭maj7 | E♭, G, B♭, D |
| IV7 | F7 | F, A, C, E♭ |
| v7 | Gm7 | G, B♭, D, F |
| viø7 | Am7♭5 | A, C, E♭, G |
| VIImaj7 | B♭maj7 | B♭, D, F, A |
The modes of C Dorian use the same notes but start on different scale degrees.
| Mode | Starting note | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| B♭ Ionian | B♭ | B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G, A |
| C Dorian | C | C, D, E♭, F, G, A, B♭ |
| D Phrygian | D | D, E♭, F, G, A, B♭, C |
| E♭ Lydian | E♭ | E♭, F, G, A, B♭, C, D |
| F Mixolydian | F | F, G, A, B♭, C, D, E♭ |
| G Aeolian | G | G, A, B♭, C, D, E♭, F |
| A Locrian | A | A, B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G |
C Dorian is the 2nd mode of the B♭ major scale. Both share the same 7 notes — Dorian simply starts on the 2nd degree (C) instead of the root (B♭).
The only difference is the 6th degree. C Dorian has a major 6th (A), while C natural minor has a minor 6th. That raised 6th gives Dorian a brighter, slightly more hopeful character compared to natural minor's darker sound.
C Dorian has a minor 3rd (E♭) and a minor 7th (B♭), while C major has a major 3rd and major 7th. This gives Dorian a minor quality overall, but its major 6th (A) keeps it from sounding as dark as natural minor.