B♭ Dorian Mode

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The B♭ Dorian Mode contains the notes B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G, and A♭.

Notes: B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G, A♭ · Piano keys: B♭ C D♭ E♭ F G A♭

Reviewed for accuracy · Last updated June 2026 · Maintained by Justin Evans

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Three quick cards on B♭ Dorian Mode

Answer on the keyboard, not with buttons. No login required.

B♭ – C – D♭ – E♭ – F – G – A♭

Formula:W-H-W-W-W-H-W

Intervals:P1-M2-m3-P4-P5-M6-m7-P8

Scale Degrees:1-2-♭3-4-5-6-♭7-8

Practice B♭ Dorian Mode

Reading about it is one thing. Drilling it is what makes it automatic.

Practice Room →Plug in a MIDI keyboard for real-time feedback Circle of Fifths →See where this mode sits among the keys

Introduction

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

B♭ Dorian Mode Notes

Degree	Name	Note	Interval
1	Tonic	B♭	P1
2	Supertonic	C	M2
♭3	Mediant	D♭	m3
4	Subdominant	E♭	P4
5	Dominant	F	P5
6	Submediant	G	M6
♭7	Leading Tone	A♭	m7

Key Signature

The B♭ Dorian Mode draws its notes from Ab Major, so it is written with that key signature: 4 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭).

B♭E♭A♭D♭

Order of flats

Flats are added in a fixed order — the reverse of the sharp order. Each new flat key adds the next flat on the list.

B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭C♭F♭

Mnemonic: Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father

Diatonic Chords in the B♭ Dorian Mode

These are the triads built on each degree of the B♭ Dorian Mode:

i — B♭ Minor (minor)

Degree	Numeral	Chord	Quality
1	i	B♭ Minor	Minor
2	ii	C Minor	Minor
3	III	D♭ Major	Major
4	IV	E♭ Major	Major
5	v	F Minor	Minor
6	vi°	G Diminished	Diminished
7	VII	A♭ Major	Major

How Dorian Relates to the Major Scale

Mode

Key

B♭ Dorian uses the same notes as A♭ Major

Relative modes — all share the same notes

A♭ Ionian=B♭ Dorian=C Phrygian=C♯ Lydian=E♭ Mixolydian=F Aeolian=G Locrian

Common Tones

Common tones are the notes that two scales or modes share. Knowing which notes the B♭ mode shares with its parallel modes (same root, different scale) helps with improvisation, modal interchange, and smooth voice leading. The more notes two modes share, the more closely related they sound — and the easier it is to slide between them in a solo or progression.

Parallel Mode	Common Notes	Shared / 7
B♭ Phrygian	B♭ – C – D♭ – E♭ – F – G – A♭ – B♭	8 / 7
B♭ Lydian	B♭ – C – D♭ – E♭ – F – G – A♭ – B♭	8 / 7
B♭ Mixolydian	B♭ – C – D♭ – E♭ – F – G – A♭ – B♭	8 / 7
B♭ Locrian	B♭ – C – D♭ – E♭ – F – G – A♭ – B♭	8 / 7
B♭ Ionian	B♭ – C – D♭ – E♭ – F – G – A♭	7 / 7
B♭ Aeolian	B♭ – C – D♭ – E♭	4 / 7

B♭ Dorian Mode — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the Bb Dorian mode?

Bb Dorian contains: Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab. Second mode of Ab Major. The raised 6th (G instead of Gb) distinguishes it from Bb Natural Minor.

How does Bb Dorian differ from Bb Natural Minor?

One note: Bb Dorian has G (major 6th), Bb Natural Minor has Gb (minor 6th).

What is the parent major scale?

Bb Dorian is the second mode of Ab Major.

How is Bb Dorian used in music?

Works over Bbm7 chords. Common in jazz, R&B, and gospel. Ab Major is a popular key.

What chords are built from Bb Dorian?

Bbm, Cm, Db, Eb, Fm, Gdim, Ab. Major IV (Eb) over Bb minor is the Dorian hallmark.

What songs use the Dorian mode?

So What (Miles Davis), Oye Como Va (Santana), many jazz standards.

Practice Tips

Raise Gb to G — hear the Dorian warmth.
Bb Dorian over Bbm7 is standard in jazz and R&B.
Eb Major (IV) over Bb minor is the signature.
Practice over a Bbm7 vamp.
Common in jazz standards in Ab Major.
Compare with Bb Aeolian.

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