B 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 B, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where B is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | B C♯ D E F♯ G♯ A |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2M · 3m · 4P · 5P · 6M · 7m |
| Step pattern | W H W W W H W |
| Chords in the key | BmC♯mDEF♯mG♯°A |
Chords in the B Dorian scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
B Dorian on the piano
Improvisation drone · B
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano B Dorian uses three black keys (C♯, F♯ and G♯) and four white.
B · C♯ · D · E · F♯ · G♯ · A
Play B Dorian on the online piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
B Dorian on the guitar
B Dorian - fr 0–12
B Dorian on the staff
Notes of the B Dorian scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | C♯ | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | D | minor 3rd3m | 3 | |
| 4 | E | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | F♯ | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | G♯ | major 6th6M | 9 | |
| 7 | A | minor 7th7m | 10 |
What makes B 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 B, B Dorian has G♯ where B Natural Minor has G; every other note is shared with B Natural Minor (B C♯ D E F♯ G A).
Modes from B Dorian
Each note of this scale produces a different mode with its own character.
How to use the B Dorian scale
The diatonic chords of B Dorian are: i = Bm, ii = C♯m, III = D, IV = E, v = F♯m, vi° = G♯°, VII = A. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in B 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 B 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.
Where you will hear B Dorian
Start with the music described above: listen for B Dorian in it and transcribe a few short phrases by ear. It's the quickest way to learn how the scale sounds.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the B Dorian scale?
The B Dorian scale contains B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯ and A.
What is the formula for the B Dorian scale?
B Dorian follows a minor scale with a raised sixth degree (W-H-W-W-W-H-W).
Is B Dorian a major or minor scale?
B Dorian is a dorian scale. Minor scale with a bright raised sixth - sophisticated and groove-friendly.
What chords belong to the B Dorian scale?
The diatonic chords of B Dorian are Bm, C♯m, D, E, F♯m, G♯°, A.
Which genres use B 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 B Dorian scale on the piano?
On the piano B Dorian uses three black keys (C♯, F♯ and G♯) and four white.
What is the difference between B Dorian and B Natural Minor?
On B, B Dorian has G♯ where B Natural Minor has G; every other note is shared with B Natural Minor (B C♯ D E F♯ G A).
How do I practise the B Dorian scale?
Solo over a minor 7 chord using only dorian notes. That raised sixth makes phrases sound bright without losing the minor character.