D♭ Dorian Mode

Hear the D♭ Dorian Mode played for you.

D♭ – E♭ – F♭ – G♭ – A♭ – B♭ – C♭

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

Introduction

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

D♭ Dorian Mode Notes

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

How Dorian Relates to the Major Scale

Mode

Key

C♯ Dorian uses the same notes as B Major

Relative modes — all share the same notes

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

Common Tones

Common tones are the notes that two scales or modes share. Knowing which notes the D♭ 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
D♭ Phrygian	D♭ – E♭ – F♭ – G♭ – A♭ – B♭ – C♭ – D♭	8 / 7
D♭ Lydian	D♭ – E♭ – F♭ – G♭ – A♭ – B♭ – C♭ – D♭	8 / 7
D♭ Mixolydian	D♭ – E♭ – F♭ – G♭ – A♭ – B♭ – C♭ – D♭	8 / 7
D♭ Locrian	D♭ – E♭ – F♭ – G♭ – A♭ – B♭ – C♭ – D♭	8 / 7
D♭ Ionian	D♭ – E♭ – F♭ – G♭	4 / 7
D♭ Aeolian	D♭ – E♭ – F♭ – G♭	4 / 7

D♭ Dorian Mode — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the Db Dorian mode?

Db Dorian contains: Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb. It is the second mode of Cb Major. The raised 6th (Bb instead of Bbb) distinguishes it from Db Natural Minor.

How does Db Dorian differ from Db Natural Minor?

One note differs: Db Dorian has Bb (major 6th), Db Natural Minor has Bbb (minor 6th). The raised 6th gives Dorian its warm, jazzy character.

What is the parent major scale of Db Dorian?

Db Dorian is the second mode of Cb Major (enharmonically B Major).

How is Db Dorian used in music?

Works over Dbm7 chords in jazz. Enharmonic C# Dorian is more commonly written.

What chords are built from Db Dorian?

Dbm, Ebm, Fb, Gb, Abm, Bbdim, Cb. The major IV (Gb) over Db minor is the Dorian hallmark.

What songs use the Dorian mode?

So What (Miles Davis), Oye Como Va (Santana), Evil Ways (Santana), Brick House (Commodores).

Practice Tips

Raise the 6th from Bbb to Bb — hear the Dorian warmth.
Db Dorian and C# Dorian are enharmonic.
Practice over a Dbm7 vamp.
The major IV chord (Gb) over Db minor is the Dorian sound.
Compare with Db Aeolian.
Funk and jazz applications.