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