Learn the D Dorian scale — notes, intervals, chords, modes, and more.
The D Dorian scale contains the following notes:
D – E – F – G – A – B – CThe scale degrees of the D Dorian scale are:
1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7| Scale Degree | Note |
|---|---|
| 1 | D |
| 2 | E |
| ♭3 | F |
| 4 | G |
| 5 | A |
| 6 | B |
| ♭7 | C |
The D Dorian scale uses the interval pattern W, H, W, W, W, H, W
| From | To | Step |
|---|---|---|
| D | E | W |
| E | F | H |
| F | G | W |
| G | A | W |
| A | B | W |
| B | C | H |
| C | D | W |
| Scale Degree | Note | Interval from D |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | Perfect Unison |
| 2 | E | Major 2nd |
| ♭3 | F | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | G | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | A | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | B | Major 6th |
| ♭7 | C | Minor 7th |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i | Dm | D, F, A |
| ii | Em | E, G, B |
| III | F | F, A, C |
| IV | G | G, B, D |
| v | Am | A, C, E |
| vi° | Bdim | B, D, F |
| VII | C | C, E, G |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i7 | Dm7 | D, F, A, C |
| ii7 | Em7 | E, G, B, D |
| IIImaj7 | Fmaj7 | F, A, C, E |
| IV7 | G7 | G, B, D, F |
| v7 | Am7 | A, C, E, G |
| viø7 | Bm7♭5 | B, D, F, A |
| VIImaj7 | Cmaj7 | C, E, G, B |
The modes of D Dorian use the same notes but start on different scale degrees.
| Mode | Starting note | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| C Ionian | C | C, D, E, F, G, A, B |
| D Dorian | D | D, E, F, G, A, B, C |
| E Phrygian | E | E, F, G, A, B, C, D |
| F Lydian | F | F, G, A, B, C, D, E |
| G Mixolydian | G | G, A, B, C, D, E, F |
| A Aeolian | A | A, B, C, D, E, F, G |
| B Locrian | B | B, C, D, E, F, G, A |
D Dorian is the 2nd mode of the C major scale. Both share the same 7 notes — Dorian simply starts on the 2nd degree (D) instead of the root (C).
The only difference is the 6th degree. D Dorian has a major 6th (B), while D natural minor has a minor 6th. That raised 6th gives Dorian a brighter, slightly more hopeful character compared to natural minor's darker sound.
D Dorian has a minor 3rd (F) and a minor 7th (C), while D major has a major 3rd and major 7th. This gives Dorian a minor quality overall, but its major 6th (B) keeps it from sounding as dark as natural minor.