Learn the G Dorian scale — notes, intervals, chords, modes, and more.
The G Dorian scale contains the following notes:
G – A – B♭ – C – D – E – FThe scale degrees of the G Dorian scale are:
1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7| Scale Degree | Note |
|---|---|
| 1 | G |
| 2 | A |
| ♭3 | B♭ |
| 4 | C |
| 5 | D |
| 6 | E |
| ♭7 | F |
The G Dorian scale uses the interval pattern W, H, W, W, W, H, W
| From | To | Step |
|---|---|---|
| G | A | W |
| A | B♭ | H |
| B♭ | C | W |
| C | D | W |
| D | E | W |
| E | F | H |
| F | G | W |
| Scale Degree | Note | Interval from G |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | G | Perfect Unison |
| 2 | A | Major 2nd |
| ♭3 | B♭ | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | C | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | D | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | E | Major 6th |
| ♭7 | F | Minor 7th |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i | Gm | G, B♭, D |
| ii | Am | A, C, E |
| III | B♭ | B♭, D, F |
| IV | C | C, E, G |
| v | Dm | D, F, A |
| vi° | Edim | E, G, B♭ |
| VII | F | F, A, C |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i7 | Gm7 | G, B♭, D, F |
| ii7 | Am7 | A, C, E, G |
| IIImaj7 | B♭maj7 | B♭, D, F, A |
| IV7 | C7 | C, E, G, B♭ |
| v7 | Dm7 | D, F, A, C |
| viø7 | Em7♭5 | E, G, B♭, D |
| VIImaj7 | Fmaj7 | F, A, C, E |
The modes of G Dorian use the same notes but start on different scale degrees.
| Mode | Starting note | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| F Ionian | F | F, G, A, B♭, C, D, E |
| G Dorian | G | G, A, B♭, C, D, E, F |
| A Phrygian | A | A, B♭, C, D, E, F, G |
| B♭ Lydian | B♭ | B♭, C, D, E, F, G, A |
| C Mixolydian | C | C, D, E, F, G, A, B♭ |
| D Aeolian | D | D, E, F, G, A, B♭, C |
| E Locrian | E | E, F, G, A, B♭, C, D |
G Dorian is the 2nd mode of the F major scale. Both share the same 7 notes — Dorian simply starts on the 2nd degree (G) instead of the root (F).
The only difference is the 6th degree. G Dorian has a major 6th (E), while G natural minor has a minor 6th. That raised 6th gives Dorian a brighter, slightly more hopeful character compared to natural minor's darker sound.
G Dorian has a minor 3rd (B♭) and a minor 7th (F), while G major has a major 3rd and major 7th. This gives Dorian a minor quality overall, but its major 6th (E) keeps it from sounding as dark as natural minor.