B Dorian Mode

Q: What is the Dorian mode?

Dorian is a musical mode — a scale viewed from a specific degree. Modes provide a distinctive colour different from plain major or minor: they sound a particular way depending on their interval formula.

Q: How do I distinguish Dorian from other modes?

Each mode has a characteristic tone — the degree that makes it recognisable. On this page you can highlight the characteristic tone using the "Char. tone" button.

Q: What genres use the Dorian mode?

Different modes are associated with different genres and moods. See the description and theory block on this page.

Q: How do I learn modes on guitar?

Start by learning major scale patterns, then understand how each mode starts from a different degree. Focus on the characteristic tone of each mode and how it sounds in the context of chords.

Minor mode with a raised sixth. The distinctive degree gives a soft, warm character. Used in fusion and jazz.

How to play the mode

Notes

Direction

Музыкальный контекст

АккордB MinorТрезвучие

АрпеджиоB Minor arpeggioТрезвучие

ГаммаB Minor Scale7 нот

ЛадB Dorian

ТональностьB MinorМинорная тональность

ПрогрессияJazz II-V-IФункциональная последовательность

Показывает, как текущий элемент связан с ладом, тональностью и используется в музыке.

Theory

General info

Name: B Dorian mode
Type: Minor
Note count: 7
Description: Minor mode with a raised sixth. The distinctive degree gives a soft, warm character. Used in fusion and jazz.

Notes & degrees

Degrees, notes & intervals: 1Broot
2C#major 2nd
3Dminor 3rd
4Eperfect 4th
5F#perfect 5th
6G#major 6th
7Aminor 7th

Characteristic degree: G# — raised 6th degree(major 6th)
Significance: These degrees shape the color of Dorian and distinguish it from natural major.

How it sounds

Character: minor foundation with an unexpected bright shade
major sixth adds warmth and motion
ideal for jazz and funk grooves
Characteristic interval: Major 6thM6 · 9 st
Description: The major sixth (9 semitones) distinguishes Dorian from natural minor, adding a brighter shade.
Where recognized: II degree of major
Jazz, funk, fusion
Minor II-V-I progressions

🎹 B Dorian mode on piano →

How this mode works

Parent scale: Ionian (major)
Position in system: 2nd mode of the Ionian (major) scale
Sibling modes: B PhrygianMinor mode with a flat second B LydianMajor with a raised fourth B MixolydianMajor with a flat seventh B LocrianMode with a flat fifth

Base scale for comparison: natural minor (Aeolian)
Changed degrees: 6G#raised 6th degree
Short formula: Dorian is natural minor with a raised 6th.

Chords by degreeB Dorian

iBmminB D F#Tonic iiC#mminC# E G# IIIDmajD F# A IVEmajE G# BSubdominant vF#mminF# A C#Dominant vi°G#dimdimG# B D VIIAmajA C# E

Harmonic context

Shines over minor chords with major sixth (m6, m13). Typical for ii–V vamps, funk grooves and modal sections.

Tendencies & resolutions

Pillar degrees: 1B(Си)root
3D(Ре)minor 3rd
5F#(Фа-диез)perfect 5th
Characteristic degrees: 6G#(Соль-диез)raised 6th degree
Tendencies & resolutions: 7AA
1BB
subtonic tends toward the tonic (whole step down) — soft tendency
4EE
3DD
4th degree resolves down to the minor 3rd
2C#C#
1BB
2nd degree tends down to the tonic
6G#G#
5F#F#
6th degree tends down to the 5th

Connections & usage

Parent scale

B Ionian (major)Classic major mode

Sibling modes

B PhrygianMinor mode with a flat second B LydianMajor with a raised fourth B MixolydianMajor with a flat seventh B LocrianMode with a flat fifth

Compatible chords

Chords whose notes all belong to this scale. Suitable for accompaniment and harmonization.

C#mC# Minor C#m7C# Minor 7 C#sus4C# Sus4 C#7sus4C# 7sus4 C#5C# Power chord C#m(add11)C# Minor Add11

DD Major Dmaj7D Major 7 Dsus2D Sus2 D5D Power chord D6D 6th D6/9D 6/9 Dmaj9D Major 9 Dadd9D Add9

Show more (3)

Dmaj13D Major 13 Dmaj7b5D Major 7b5 Dmaj7#11D Major 7#11

EE Major E7E Dominant 7 Esus2E Sus2 Esus4E Sus4 E7sus4E 7sus4 E5E Power chord E6E 6th E6/9E 6/9

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E9E 9th Eadd9E Add9 E11E 11th E13E 13th E9sus4E 9sus4 Eadd11E Add11 E6sus4E 6sus4 E7sus2E 7sus2

F#mF# Minor F#m7F# Minor 7 F#sus2F# Sus2 F#sus4F# Sus4 F#7sus4F# 7sus4 F#5F# Power chord F#m9F# Minor 9 F#madd9F# Minor Add9

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F#m11F# Minor 11 F#9sus4F# 9sus4 F#m(add11)F# Minor Add11 F#7sus2F# 7sus2

AbdimAb Diminished Abm7b5Ab Half-dim 7

AA Major Amaj7A Major 7 Asus2A Sus2 Asus4A Sus4 A5A Power chord A6A 6th A6/9A 6/9 Amaj9A Major 9

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Aadd9A Add9 Amaj11A Major 11 Amaj13A Major 13 Aadd11A Add11 A6sus4A 6sus4

BmB Minor Bm7B Minor 7 Bsus2B Sus2 Bsus4B Sus4 B7sus4B 7sus4 B5B Power chord Bm6B Minor 6 Bm6/9B Minor 6/9

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Bm9B Minor 9 Bmadd9B Minor Add9 Bm11B Minor 11 B9sus4B 9sus4 Bm13B Minor 13 Bm(add11)B Minor Add11 B6sus4B 6sus4 B7sus2B 7sus2

Musical application

Genres

Jazz, funk, fusion, soul

In melody

Melodies with soft minor character. Raised 6th adds warmth and brightness.

In improvisation

Ideal for solos over minor vamps (Dm7–G7). Key mode for jazz improvisation.

In harmonic thinking

Modal vamps on im7–IV7. Funk grooves and jazz ii–V progressions.

Musical context

Jazz, funk, soul, fusion. Carlos Santana, Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder.

Play this mode

Practice positions and characteristic tones on the interactive fretboard.

Open fretboard trainer

What to learn next

ModePhrygianNext mode in the church mode system ModeMixolydianParallel mode — same notes, different character ScaleMinor pentatonicPentatonic — simplified version to start with ProgressionDorian vampProgression that works well with this mode

Compare all

Diatonic chords (C)

C (I)Dm (ii)Em (iii)F (IV)G (V)Am (vi)B° (vii°)

Fitting progressions

Dorian vamp (i-IV)Jazz II-V-I (ii-V-I)Aeolian rock loop (i-bVII-bVI-bVII)

Other modes

Ionian (major)Phrygian Lydian Mixolydian

Recommended for you

What is the Dorian mode?

How do I distinguish Dorian from other modes?

What genres use the Dorian mode?

How do I learn modes on guitar?