Dorian Mode

2nd Mode of Major · W–H–W–W–W–H–W

The second mode of the major scale — a minor scale with a raised sixth degree that gives it a warm, jazzy, soulful character. Dorian is the most widely used mode in jazz, blues, funk, and rock improvisation.

View C Dorian

FormulaW–H–W–W–W–H–W

Scale degrees1–2–♭3–4–5–6–♭7

Characteristic noteMajor 6th (raised compared to natural minor)

SoundMinor but warm, jazzy, soulful

Common inJazz, blues, funk, rock, neo-soul, lo-fi

Famous exampleSo What — Miles Davis (D Dorian)

The cool blues palette on this page is inspired by music-color synesthesia — a neurological phenomenon where people perceive colors when hearing music. Synesthetes commonly associate Dorian mode with cool blues, reflecting its warm yet melancholic character.

About the Dorian Mode

The C Dorian mode is the second mode of the Bb Major scale. It has a minor sound with a raised sixth degree, characteristic of jazz, blues, and rock.

How Dorian differs from Natural Minor

Only one note changes — the 6th degree is raised by a half step. This single note transforms the dark natural minor into something warmer and jazzier. The major IV chord built on that raised 6th is the hallmark Dorian sound.

About the Dorian Mode

Dorian mode starts on the second degree of the major scale and features a minor third and minor seventh with a characteristic raised sixth. This raised sixth — one semitone higher than in natural minor — gives Dorian its distinctive warm, jazzy, and slightly optimistic sound despite being a minor mode.