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Mode · Reference entry

C Dorian Mode

Dorian mode · C – D – E♭ – F – G – A – B♭ · intervals P1-M2-m3-P4-P5-M6-m7-P8

The C Dorian Mode contains the notes C, D, E♭, F, G, A, and B♭. Its step pattern is W-H-W-W-W-H-W. A minor scale with a raised 6th — the "So What" modal jazz sound, common in folk and Celtic music.

At the keyboard

C · D · Eb · F · G · A · Bb
Maintained by Justin Evans, a pianist of 25 years
Maintained for accuracy · Last updated July 2026 · How we review
Flashcards · Scale
Three questions on C Dorian Mode
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The C Dorian scale contains seven notes: C, D, E♭, F, G, A, and B♭. It follows the whole-step / half-step pattern W-H-W-W-W-H-W.

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

C Dorian Mode Notes

DegreeNameNoteInterval
1TonicCP1
2SupertonicDM2
♭3MediantE♭m3
4SubdominantFP4
5DominantGP5
6SubmediantAM6
♭7Leading ToneB♭m7

Key Signature

The C Dorian Mode draws its notes from Bb Major, so it is written with that key signature: 2 flats (B♭, E♭).

B♭E♭

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 C Dorian Mode

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

C1C2C3CGC5C6C7C8E♭
i — C Minor (minor)
DegreeNumeralChordQuality
1iC MinorMinor
2iiD MinorMinor
3IIIE♭ MajorMajor
4IVF MajorMajor
5vG MinorMinor
6vi°A DiminishedDiminished
7VIIB♭ MajorMajor

How Dorian Relates to the Major Scale

C1C2C3CDFGACDFGAC6C7C8D#A#D#A#
Mode
Key

C Dorian uses the same notes as B♭ Major

Relative modes — all share the same notes
B♭ Ionian=C Dorian=D Phrygian=E♭ Lydian=F Mixolydian=G Aeolian=A Locrian

Common Tones

Common tones are the notes that two scales or modes share. Knowing which notes the C 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 ModeCommon NotesShared / 7
C PhrygianC – D – E♭ – F – G – A – B♭ – C8 / 7
C LydianC – D – E♭ – F – G – A – B♭ – C8 / 7
C MixolydianC – D – E♭ – F – G – A – B♭ – C8 / 7
C LocrianC – D – E♭ – F – G – A – B♭ – C8 / 7
C IonianC – D – E♭ – F – G5 / 7
C AeolianC – D – E♭ – F – G5 / 7

C Dorian Mode — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the C Dorian mode?
The C Dorian mode contains: C, D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb. It is the second mode of the Bb Major scale. The formula is W–H–W–W–W–H–W. The raised 6th (A natural instead of Ab) is what distinguishes Dorian from the natural minor scale.
How does C Dorian differ from C Natural Minor?
Only one note differs: C Dorian has A natural (major 6th), while C Natural Minor has Ab (minor 6th). That single raised note gives Dorian its warm, jazzy character compared to the darker natural minor.
What is the parent major scale of C Dorian?
C Dorian is the second mode of Bb Major. Both use the same seven notes (Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, A) but C Dorian treats C as the tonal centre rather than Bb.
How is C Dorian used in music?
C Dorian is one of the most widely used modes in jazz, blues, funk, and rock. It works over Cm7 chords and is the default choice for improvising over minor 7th chords in jazz. Miles Davis's So What features D Dorian prominently.
What chords are built from C Dorian?
The diatonic chords are: Cm, Dm, Eb, F, Gm, Adim, Bb. The characteristic chord is Cm with a major IV chord (F Major) — this F Major over a C minor tonality is the hallmark Dorian sound.
What songs use the Dorian mode?
So What (Miles Davis) is the most famous Dorian piece. Oye Como Va (Santana), Evil Ways (Santana), and Brick House (Commodores) all use Dorian. It is the most popular mode after Ionian and Aeolian.

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Entry reviewed and maintained by Justin Evans. Corrections are read and applied.Report an error

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