Dorian Mode
The Dorian Mode has a minor quality due to its minor Third E♭. The Dorian Mode, like Dorian, is one of seven diatonic modes originally formed using just the natural notes (think just the white keys on a piano) but starting on a particular note, D in the case of the Dorian Mode, which creates a unique sequence of intervals. This mode can then be transposed to any key such as Dorian Mode in this example. Dorian Mode is classified as a heptatonic scale as it has seven notes, C, D, E♭, F, G, A, B♭. The Dorian Mode is also known as a diatonic scale which conforms to specific rules.
Below you will find the Dorian Mode notes, notation, patterns, degrees, intervals and more. You can also opt to see the Dorian Mode on your preferred instrument.
Notes Ascending
C, D, E♭, F, G, A, B♭, C
Notes Descending
C, B♭, A, G, F, E♭, D, C
Notation Ascending
Notation Descending
Pattern Ascending
T, S, T, T, T, S, T
S = Semitone, T = Tone (2 Semitones)
Pattern Descending
T, S, T, T, T, S, T
S = Semitone, T = Tone (2 Semitones)
Degrees Ascending
| Note | Number | Name |
|---|---|---|
| C | 1 | Tonic |
| D | 2 | Supertonic |
| E♭ | ♭3 | Mediant |
| F | 4 | Subdominant |
| G | 5 | Dominant |
| A | 6 | Submediant |
| B♭ | ♭7 | Subtonic |
| C | 8 | Tonic (Octave) |
Degrees Descending
| Note | Number | Name |
|---|---|---|
| C | 8 | Tonic (Octave) |
| B♭ | ♭7 | Subtonic |
| A | 6 | Submediant |
| G | 5 | Dominant |
| F | 4 | Subdominant |
| E♭ | ♭3 | Mediant |
| D | 2 | Supertonic |
| C | 1 | Tonic |
Intervals Ascending
| Notes | Semitones | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| C > C | 0 | Perfect Unison (P1) |
| C > D | 2 | Major 2nd (M2) |
| C > E♭ | 3 | minor 3rd (m3) |
| C > F | 5 | Perfect 4th (P4) |
| C > G | 7 | Perfect 5th (P5) |
| C > A | 9 | Major 6th (M6) |
| C > B♭ | 10 | minor 7th (m7) |
| C > C | 12 | Perfect Octave (P8) |
Intervals Descending
| Notes | Semitones | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| C > C | 0 | Perfect Unison (P1) |
| C > B♭ | 2 | Major 2nd (M2) |
| C > A | 3 | minor 3rd (m3) |
| C > G | 5 | Perfect 4th (P4) |
| C > F | 7 | Perfect 5th (P5) |
| C > E♭ | 9 | Major 6th (M6) |
| C > D | 10 | minor 7th (m7) |
| C > C | 12 | Perfect Octave (P8) |
Modes related to C Dorian Mode
Enharmonic Equivalent Mode
Scale with the same root and notes as the C Dorian Mode but different spelling.
B♯ Dorian Mode
Chords related to C Dorian Mode
Related Triads
These chords have been built using the notes of the C Dorian Mode. The chords are in degree order and shown in Roman numerals (lowercase = minor/diminished, uppercase = Major/Augmented).
i Chord - C Minor
ii Chord - D Minor
♭III Chord - E♭ Major
IV Chord - F Major
v Chord - G Minor
vio Chord - A Diminished
♭VII Chord - B♭ Major
Learn to Play Dorian Mode
If you want to learn what scales and modes are and much more, check out our free Fundamentals of Music Theory course. If you already know some of the basics, you can jump straight into the scales lesson.
