The G♭ Dorian scale contains seven notes: G♭, A♭, B♭♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, and F♭. It follows the whole-step / half-step pattern W-H-W-W-W-H-W.
The G♭ Dorian mode is the second mode of the F♭ Major scale. It has a minor sound with a raised sixth degree, characteristic of jazz, blues, and rock.
G♭ Dorian Mode Notes
| Degree | Name | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | G♭ | P1 |
| 2 | Supertonic | A♭ | M2 |
| ♭3 | Mediant | B♭♭ | m3 |
| 4 | Subdominant | C♭ | P4 |
| 5 | Dominant | D♭ | P5 |
| 6 | Submediant | E♭ | M6 |
| ♭7 | Leading Tone | F♭ | m7 |
Diatonic Chords in the G♭ Dorian Mode
These are the triads built on each degree of the G♭ Dorian Mode:
How Dorian Relates to the Major Scale
Mode
Key
G♭ Dorian uses the same notes as E Major
Relative modes — all share the same notes
E Ionian=F♯ Dorian=A♭ Phrygian=A Lydian=B Mixolydian=C♯ Aeolian=E♭ Locrian
Common Tones
Common tones are the notes that two scales or modes share. Knowing which notes the G♭ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| G♭ Phrygian | G♭ – A♭ – B♭♭ – C♭ – D♭ – E♭ – F♭ – G♭ | 8 / 7 |
| G♭ Lydian | G♭ – A♭ – B♭♭ – C♭ – D♭ – E♭ – F♭ – G♭ | 8 / 7 |
| G♭ Mixolydian | G♭ – A♭ – B♭♭ – C♭ – D♭ – E♭ – F♭ – G♭ | 8 / 7 |
| G♭ Locrian | G♭ – A♭ – B♭♭ – C♭ – D♭ – E♭ – F♭ – G♭ | 8 / 7 |
| G♭ Ionian | G♭ – A♭ – B♭♭ – C♭ | 4 / 7 |
| G♭ Aeolian | G♭ – A♭ – B♭♭ | 3 / 7 |
G♭ Dorian Mode — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the Gb Dorian mode?
Gb Dorian contains: Gb, Ab, Bbb, Cb, Db, Eb, Fb. Second mode of Fb Major. Enharmonic equivalent of F# Dorian.
How does Gb Dorian differ from Gb Natural Minor?
Gb Dorian has Eb (major 6th), Gb Natural Minor has Ebb (minor 6th).
What is the parent major scale?
Gb Dorian is the second mode of Fb Major (enharmonically E Major).
How is Gb Dorian used in music?
Enharmonic F# Dorian is more commonly written. Works over Gbm7 chords.
What chords are built from Gb Dorian?
Gbm, Abm, Bbb, Cb, Dbm, Ebdim, Fb. Major IV over Gb minor is the Dorian sound.
What songs use the Dorian mode?
So What (Miles Davis), Oye Como Va (Santana).