A Dorian at a glance
Dorian pops up in jazz standards, modal rock, Celtic folk, hip-hop samples and film scores. That bright sixth adds a hopeful edge to an otherwise minor mood. Built on the root A, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where A is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | A B C D E F♯ G |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2M · 3m · 4P · 5P · 6M · 7m |
| Step pattern | W H W W W H W |
| Chords in the key | AmBmCDEmF♯°G |
Chords in the A Dorian scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
A Dorian on the piano
Improvisation drone · A
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano A Dorian uses one black key (F♯) and six white.
A · B · C · D · E · F♯ · G
Try A Dorian on the virtual piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
A Dorian on the guitar
A Dorian - fr 0–12
A Dorian on the staff
Notes of the A Dorian scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | B | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | C | minor 3rd3m | 3 | |
| 4 | D | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | E | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | F♯ | major 6th6M | 9 | |
| 7 | G | minor 7th7m | 10 |
What makes A Dorian different
Dorian is a minor mode with a major sixth, and that one note is all that separates it from natural minor. Because of the major sixth, the IV chord is major rather than minor, and the i to IV vamp is the sound most people recognise as Dorian. It's the second mode of the major scale, so it has the same notes as the major scale a whole step below its root. Its step pattern (W H W W W H W) reads the same forwards and backwards, and it's the brightest of the three common minor modes. On A, A Dorian has F♯ where A Natural Minor has F; every other note is shared with A Natural Minor (A B C D E F G).
Modes from A Dorian
Each note of this scale produces a different mode with its own character.
How to use the A Dorian scale
The diatonic chords of A Dorian are: i = Am, ii = Bm, III = C, IV = D, v = Em, vi° = F♯°, VII = G. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in A Dorian. Each one in the chord table on this page opens its own diagram and progressions.
Dorian pops up in jazz standards, modal rock, Celtic folk, hip-hop samples and film scores. That bright sixth adds a hopeful edge to an otherwise minor mood.
Practice tips
Solo over a minor 7 chord using only dorian notes. That raised sixth makes phrases sound bright without losing the minor character.
Formula & step pattern
The A Dorian scale follows a minor scale with a raised sixth degree (W-H-W-W-W-H-W). Step pattern: W - H - W - W - W - H - W. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2M · 3m · 4P · 5P · 6M · 7m. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Famous songs in A Dorian
These well-known tracks all use the A Dorian scale.
- 01Oye Como VaSantana
Questions people ask
What notes are in the A Dorian scale?
The A Dorian scale contains A, B, C, D, E, F♯ and G.
What is the formula for the A Dorian scale?
A Dorian follows a minor scale with a raised sixth degree (W-H-W-W-W-H-W).
Is A Dorian a major or minor scale?
A Dorian is a dorian scale. Minor scale with a bright raised sixth - sophisticated and groove-friendly.
What chords belong to the A Dorian scale?
The diatonic chords of A Dorian are Am, Bm, C, D, Em, F♯°, G.
Which genres use A Dorian?
Dorian pops up in jazz standards, modal rock, Celtic folk, hip-hop samples and film scores. That bright sixth adds a hopeful edge to an otherwise minor mood.
How do you play the A Dorian scale on the piano?
On the piano A Dorian uses one black key (F♯) and six white.
What is the difference between A Dorian and A Natural Minor?
On A, A Dorian has F♯ where A Natural Minor has F; every other note is shared with A Natural Minor (A B C D E F G).
How do I practise the A Dorian scale?
Solo over a minor 7 chord using only dorian notes. That raised sixth makes phrases sound bright without losing the minor character.