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 | E♯mF𝄪mG♯A♯B♯mC𝄪°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 three black keys (G♯, A♯ and D♯) and four white. E♯, F𝄪, B♯ and C𝄪 are the white keys you'd normally call F, G, C and D.
E♯ · F𝄪 · G♯ · A♯ · B♯ · C𝄪 · D♯
Play E♯ Dorian on the online piano
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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 = E♯m, ii = F𝄪m, III = G♯, IV = A♯, v = B♯m, 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.
Where you will hear E♯ Dorian
Start with the music described above: listen for E♯ 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 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 E♯m, F𝄪m, G♯, A♯, B♯m, 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 three black keys (G♯, A♯ and D♯) and four white. E♯, F𝄪, B♯ and C𝄪 are the white keys you'd normally call F, G, C and D.
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.