Mode · Reference entry
Dorian mode · B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G♯ – A · intervals P1-M2-m3-P4-P5-M6-m7-P8
mode · /modes/dorian/b/
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
The B Dorian scale contains seven notes: B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯, and A. It follows the whole-step / half-step pattern W-H-W-W-W-H-W.
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 A Major , so it is written with that key signature: 3 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯) .
F♯ C♯ G♯
Order of sharps Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.
F♯ C♯ G♯ D♯ A♯ E♯ B♯
Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
Diatonic Chords in the B Dorian Mode These are the triads built on each degree of the B Dorian Mode:
i B ii C♯ III D IV E v F♯ vi° G♯ VII A
How Dorian Relates to the Major Scale
C1 C2 C3 C4 D E A B C5 D E A B C6 C7 C8 C# F# G# C# F# G# Mode
Ionian Dorian Phrygian Lydian Mixolydian Aeolian Locrian
Key
C C♯ D♭ D D♯ E♭ E F F♯ G♭ G G♯ A♭ A A♯ B♭ B C♭
B Dorian uses the same notes as A Major
Relative modes — all share the same notes
A Ionian = B Dorian = C♯ Phrygian = D Lydian = E Mixolydian = F♯ Aeolian = A♭ 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♯ 5 / 7 B Aeolian B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ 5 / 7
B Dorian Mode — Frequently Asked Questions What notes are in the B Dorian mode? B Dorian contains: B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, A. Second mode of A Major. The raised 6th (G# instead of G) distinguishes it from B Natural Minor.
How does B Dorian differ from B Natural Minor? One note: B Dorian has G# (major 6th), B Natural Minor has G (minor 6th).
What is the parent major scale? B Dorian is the second mode of A Major.
How is B Dorian used in music? Works over Bm7 chords. Common in rock, pop-rock, and acoustic music where A Major is a popular key.
What chords are built from B Dorian? Bm, C#m, D, E, F#m, G#dim, A. Major IV (E) over B minor is the Dorian sound.
What songs use the Dorian mode? So What (Miles Davis), Oye Como Va (Santana).
Quick facts
Type Dorian mode
Notes B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G♯ – A
Intervals P1-M2-m3-P4-P5-M6-m7-P8
Formula W-H-W-W-W-H-W Cite this entry “B Dorian Mode.” piano.org — a piano reference. piano.org/modes/dorian/b/.