E 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 E, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where E is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | E F♯ G A B C♯ D |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2M · 3m · 4P · 5P · 6M · 7m |
| Step pattern | W H W W W H W |
| Chords in the key | EmF♯mGABmC♯°D |
Chords in the E Dorian scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
E Dorian on the piano
Improvisation drone · E
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano E Dorian uses two black keys (F♯ and C♯) and five white.
E · F♯ · G · A · B · C♯ · D
Try E Dorian on the virtual piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
E Dorian on the guitar
E Dorian - fr 0–12
E Dorian on the staff
Notes of the E Dorian scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | F♯ | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | G | minor 3rd3m | 3 | |
| 4 | A | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | B | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | C♯ | major 6th6M | 9 | |
| 7 | D | minor 7th7m | 10 |
What makes E 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 E, E Dorian has C♯ where E Natural Minor has C; every other note is shared with E Natural Minor (E F♯ G A B C D).
Modes from E Dorian
Each note of this scale produces a different mode with its own character.
How to use the E Dorian scale
The diatonic chords of E Dorian are: i = Em, ii = F♯m, III = G, IV = A, v = Bm, vi° = C♯°, VII = D. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in E 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 E 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 E Dorian
These well-known tracks all use the E Dorian scale.
- 01Scarborough Fair/CanticleSimon & Garfunkel
Questions people ask
What notes are in the E Dorian scale?
The E Dorian scale contains E, F♯, G, A, B, C♯ and D.
What is the formula for the E Dorian scale?
E Dorian follows a minor scale with a raised sixth degree (W-H-W-W-W-H-W).
Is E Dorian a major or minor scale?
E Dorian is a dorian scale. Minor scale with a bright raised sixth - sophisticated and groove-friendly.
What chords belong to the E Dorian scale?
The diatonic chords of E Dorian are Em, F♯m, G, A, Bm, C♯°, D.
Which genres use E 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 E Dorian scale on the piano?
On the piano E Dorian uses two black keys (F♯ and C♯) and five white.
What is the difference between E Dorian and E Natural Minor?
On E, E Dorian has C♯ where E Natural Minor has C; every other note is shared with E Natural Minor (E F♯ G A B C D).
How do I practise the E Dorian scale?
Solo over a minor 7 chord using only dorian notes. That raised sixth makes phrases sound bright without losing the minor character.