Learn the E Dorian scale — notes, intervals, chords, modes, and more.
The E Dorian scale contains the following notes:
E – F♯ – G – A – B – C♯ – DThe scale degrees of the E Dorian scale are:
1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7| Scale Degree | Note |
|---|---|
| 1 | E |
| 2 | F♯ |
| ♭3 | G |
| 4 | A |
| 5 | B |
| 6 | C♯ |
| ♭7 | D |
The E Dorian scale uses the interval pattern W, H, W, W, W, H, W
| From | To | Step |
|---|---|---|
| E | F♯ | W |
| F♯ | G | H |
| G | A | W |
| A | B | W |
| B | C♯ | W |
| C♯ | D | H |
| D | E | W |
| Scale Degree | Note | Interval from E |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | Perfect Unison |
| 2 | F♯ | Major 2nd |
| ♭3 | G | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | A | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | B | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | C♯ | Major 6th |
| ♭7 | D | Minor 7th |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i | Em | E, G, B |
| ii | F♯m | F♯, A, C♯ |
| III | G | G, B, D |
| IV | A | A, C♯, E |
| v | Bm | B, D, F♯ |
| vi° | C♯dim | C♯, E, G |
| VII | D | D, F♯, A |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i7 | Em7 | E, G, B, D |
| ii7 | F♯m7 | F♯, A, C♯, E |
| IIImaj7 | Gmaj7 | G, B, D, F♯ |
| IV7 | A7 | A, C♯, E, G |
| v7 | Bm7 | B, D, F♯, A |
| viø7 | C♯m7♭5 | C♯, E, G, B |
| VIImaj7 | Dmaj7 | D, F♯, A, C♯ |
The modes of E Dorian use the same notes but start on different scale degrees.
| Mode | Starting note | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| D Ionian | D | D, E, F♯, G, A, B, C♯ |
| E Dorian | E | E, F♯, G, A, B, C♯, D |
| F♯ Phrygian | F♯ | F♯, G, A, B, C♯, D, E |
| G Lydian | G | G, A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯ |
| A Mixolydian | A | A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G |
| B Aeolian | B | B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G, A |
| C♯ Locrian | C♯ | C♯, D, E, F♯, G, A, B |
E Dorian is the 2nd mode of the D major scale. Both share the same 7 notes — Dorian simply starts on the 2nd degree (E) instead of the root (D).
The only difference is the 6th degree. E Dorian has a major 6th (C♯), while E natural minor has a minor 6th. That raised 6th gives Dorian a brighter, slightly more hopeful character compared to natural minor's darker sound.
E Dorian has a minor 3rd (G) and a minor 7th (D), while E major has a major 3rd and major 7th. This gives Dorian a minor quality overall, but its major 6th (C♯) keeps it from sounding as dark as natural minor.