Learn the F Dorian scale — notes, intervals, chords, modes, and more.
The F Dorian scale contains the following notes:
F – G – A♭ – B♭ – C – D – E♭The scale degrees of the F Dorian scale are:
1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7| Scale Degree | Note |
|---|---|
| 1 | F |
| 2 | G |
| ♭3 | A♭ |
| 4 | B♭ |
| 5 | C |
| 6 | D |
| ♭7 | E♭ |
The F Dorian scale uses the interval pattern W, H, W, W, W, H, W
| From | To | Step |
|---|---|---|
| F | G | W |
| G | A♭ | H |
| A♭ | B♭ | W |
| B♭ | C | W |
| C | D | W |
| D | E♭ | H |
| E♭ | F | W |
| Scale Degree | Note | Interval from F |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | F | Perfect Unison |
| 2 | G | Major 2nd |
| ♭3 | A♭ | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | B♭ | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | C | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | D | Major 6th |
| ♭7 | E♭ | Minor 7th |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i | Fm | F, A♭, C |
| ii | Gm | G, B♭, D |
| III | A♭ | A♭, C, E♭ |
| IV | B♭ | B♭, D, F |
| v | Cm | C, E♭, G |
| vi° | Ddim | D, F, A♭ |
| VII | E♭ | E♭, G, B♭ |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i7 | Fm7 | F, A♭, C, E♭ |
| ii7 | Gm7 | G, B♭, D, F |
| IIImaj7 | A♭maj7 | A♭, C, E♭, G |
| IV7 | B♭7 | B♭, D, F, A♭ |
| v7 | Cm7 | C, E♭, G, B♭ |
| viø7 | Dm7♭5 | D, F, A♭, C |
| VIImaj7 | E♭maj7 | E♭, G, B♭, D |
The modes of F Dorian use the same notes but start on different scale degrees.
| Mode | Starting note | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| E♭ Ionian | E♭ | E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D |
| F Dorian | F | F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D, E♭ |
| G Phrygian | G | G, A♭, B♭, C, D, E♭, F |
| A♭ Lydian | A♭ | A♭, B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G |
| B♭ Mixolydian | B♭ | B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭ |
| C Aeolian | C | C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭ |
| D Locrian | D | D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭, C |
F Dorian is the 2nd mode of the E♭ major scale. Both share the same 7 notes — Dorian simply starts on the 2nd degree (F) instead of the root (E♭).
The only difference is the 6th degree. F Dorian has a major 6th (D), while F natural minor has a minor 6th. That raised 6th gives Dorian a brighter, slightly more hopeful character compared to natural minor's darker sound.
F Dorian has a minor 3rd (A♭) and a minor 7th (E♭), while F major has a major 3rd and major 7th. This gives Dorian a minor quality overall, but its major 6th (D) keeps it from sounding as dark as natural minor.