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 | F♯mG♯mABC♯mD♯°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 four black keys (F♯, G♯, C♯ and D♯) and three white.
F♯ · G♯ · A · B · C♯ · D♯ · E
Try F♯ Dorian on the virtual 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 = F♯m, ii = G♯m, III = A, IV = B, v = C♯m, 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.
Famous songs in F♯ Dorian
These well-known tracks all use the F♯ Dorian scale.
- 01Mad WorldTears for Fears
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 F♯m, G♯m, A, B, C♯m, 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 four black keys (F♯, G♯, C♯ and D♯) and three 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.