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