Dorian Mode
Minor but hopeful, jazzy, soulful
minorJazzFunkSoulBlues-RockModal Rock
Fretboard · A Dorian
A Dorian Mode
Minor scale with major 6th - jazzy sound
Root
Chord
Scale
Secondary
Other
13
620
1.0
0.71.5
About Dorian
The Dorian mode is a minor scale with a raised 6th degree. This gives it a more hopeful, less dark quality than natural minor, making it perfect for jazz, funk, and soul music.
Key characteristics
- •Minor 3rd (dark foundation)
- •Major 6th (the "bright spot" that defines Dorian)
- •Minor 7th
- •More optimistic than natural minor
Famous examples
- So What — Miles Davis
- Oye Como Va — Santana
- Evil Ways — Santana
- Scarborough Fair — Simon & Garfunkel
Quick tips
- 1.Emphasize the major 6th to bring out the Dorian flavor
- 2.Works great over minor 7th chords
- 3.Perfect for funky, soulful minor grooves
- 4.Try the i - IV vamp for classic Dorian practice
Theory
Target notes
Emphasize these for the characteristic sound.
1 (Root)b3 (Minor 3rd)6 (Major 6th - the Dorian sound!)
Compared to the parent scale
Like natural minor, but with a raised 6th that adds brightness and hope to the minor sound.
Works over these chord types
MinorMinor 7th
Practice progressions
Try improvising with Dorian over these progressions:
i - IV
i - ii - i
i7 - IV7
All modes
Try it in Improvisio
Enter a progression and practice Dorian with real-time visualization.
Open the trainer