F♯ Dorian Scale
The F♯ Dorian scale is the 2nd mode of the E major scale, giving it a distinctive minor sound characterized by its raised 6th degree. This combination of a minor 3rd with a major 6th creates a smooth, versatile quality often heard in jazz, funk, folk, and rock, among other genres.
This page covers everything you need to know about the F♯ Dorian scale: notes, intervals, theory, and how to play it on the piano.
F♯ Dorian Scale Notes
The F♯ Dorian scale contains the following notes:
F♯ – G♯ – A – B – C♯ – D♯ – EThese notes come directly from the E major parent scale, starting on its 2nd degree (F♯).
F♯ Dorian Piano Diagram
This diagram highlights which keys belong to the F♯ Dorian scale, which is helpful for visualizing whole steps, half steps, and the overall shape of the scale on the keyboard.
F♯ Dorian Scale Formula and Intervals
The interval formula for the Dorian scale is:
W – H – W – W – W – H – WApplied to F♯, this gives us:
- F♯ → G♯
- G♯ → A
- A → B
- B → C♯
- C♯ → D♯
- D♯ → E
- E → F♯
Thus, F♯ Dorian is built with the following scale degrees:
- Root (F♯)
- Major 2nd (G♯)
- Minor 3rd (A)
- Perfect 4th (B)
- Perfect 5th (C♯)
- Major 6th (D♯)
- Minor 7th (E)
This structure, especially the combination of the minor 3rd with the major 6th, gives the Dorian mode its characteristic quality.
Chords in the Key of F♯ Dorian
When stacking thirds on each scale degree of the F♯ Dorian scale, the following diatonic triads emerge:
- F♯ minor (i)
- G♯ minor (ii)
- A major (III)
- B major (IV)
- C♯ minor (v)
- D♯ diminished (vi°)
- E major (VII)
Related Scales and Modes
If you enjoy playing in F♯ Dorian, you may also like:
- F♯ minor (F♯ Dorian with a flat 6th)
- F♯ Mixolydian (Dorian with a raised 3rd)
- E major (parent scale)
F♯ Dorian Scale FAQs
How is F♯ Dorian different from F♯ major?
F♯ Dorian has a minor 3rd (A) and minor 7th (E), while F♯ major has a major 3rd (A♯) and major 7th (E♯).
How is F♯ Dorian different from F♯ minor?
F♯ Dorian has a major 6th (D♯), while F♯ minor has a minor 6th (D).
What is the parent scale of F♯ Dorian?
E major. F♯ Dorian uses the same notes as E major, but starts on its 2nd degree (F♯).
Summary: F♯ Dorian Scale
- Notes: F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D♯, E
- Mode: 2nd mode of E major
- Formula: W, H, W, W, W, H, W