Scales & Modes
C Dorian
Neck DiagramOne of the 66 seven-note scales (#1, mode 2): 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7 against major.
How it sounds, and where to use it
Often described as cool, hip and sophisticated: a minor sound with a bright sixth. Hear it in Miles Davis, "So What"; Santana, "Oye Como Va".
How usual it sounds: as tight as it gets: the notes sit side by side on the circle of fifths, which is why it sounds so familiar. (No gaps round the circle of fifths. See its shape.)
Same notes as B♭ Major: read its key signature from there.
Solo with it over:CmCm7Csus4Csus2Cm6Cm9C7sus4Cm11
Chords on C made only from this scale's notes, so every note of the scale sits safely over them.
Step through the Mode ladder from here · Open it in Note shapes
Mode 2 of A♯ Major: the same notes, started from its degree 2.
Formula: W-H-W-W-W-H-W · Arpeggios in C Dorian
| Step | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | C | D | E♭ | F | G | A | B♭ |
| Degree | 1 | 2 | ♭3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | ♭7 |
| Interval | P1 | M2 | m3 | P4 | P5 | M6 | m7 |
Degree and Interval are the same thing written two ways: how far each note is from the root (♭3 and m3 here). See them all on the Intervals page → Click either one in the table to open that interval.
Modes
Two octaves across; each mode starts one scale degree later and is numbered from its own root. ▶ plays a mode.
The same notes, started from each degree: the degrees against major, the steps between them, and the notes.
| # | Degrees and steps | Notes | Name(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | 12♭3456♭78WHWWWHW | C D E♭ F G A B♭ C | Dorian | |
| II | 1♭2♭345♭6♭78HWWWHWW | D E♭ F G A B♭ C D | Phrygian | |
| III | 123♯45678WWWHWWH | E♭ F G A B♭ C D E♭ | Lydian | |
| IV | 123456♭78WWHWWHW | F G A B♭ C D E♭ F | Mixolydian | |
| V | 12♭345♭6♭78WHWWHWW | G A B♭ C D E♭ F G | Aeolian | |
| VI | 1♭2♭34♭5♭6♭78HWWHWWW | A B♭ C D E♭ F G A | Locrian | |
| VII | 12345678WWHWWWH | B♭ C D E♭ F G A B♭ | Ionian |
Nobody has found a C Dorian track yet. The root drone on the Every 7-note scale page works for any scale meanwhile.
Whatever turns up is checked by a person before it appears here.
Know a good one?
Sign in to suggest a YouTube backing track for C Dorian.
For more on modes, check out
Derryl Gabel's Modal Fluency course
In this epic two hour course I'll teach you a new way to learn the modes, intervals, and arpeggios of the major scale. Next we will apply a three position fingering approach that will totally unlock the fingerboard like you've never seen before. We'll also look at other fingerings such as three notes per string and even a three plus four approach (think Holdsworth) all while keeping intervals in mind which will help you play the best notes.
Check it out ↗Save $10 with promo code erasmus10