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♯ – BThe 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 | C♯m | C♯, E, G♯ |
| ii | D♯m | D♯, F♯, A♯ |
| III | E | E, G♯, B |
| IV | F♯ | F♯, A♯, C♯ |
| v | G♯m | G♯, B, D♯ |
| vi° | A♯dim | A♯, C♯, E |
| VII | B | B, D♯, F♯ |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i7 | C♯m7 | C♯, E, G♯, B |
| ii7 | D♯m7 | D♯, F♯, A♯, C♯ |
| IIImaj7 | Emaj7 | E, G♯, B, D♯ |
| IV7 | F♯7 | F♯, A♯, C♯, E |
| v7 | G♯m7 | G♯, B, D♯, F♯ |
| viø7 | A♯m7♭5 | A♯, C♯, E, G♯ |
| VIImaj7 | Bmaj7 | 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.