G♭ 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 G♭, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where G♭ is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | G♭ A♭ B𝄫 C♭ D♭ E♭ F♭ |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2M · 3m · 4P · 5P · 6M · 7m |
| Step pattern | W H W W W H W |
| Chords in the key | G♭mA♭mB𝄫C♭D♭mE♭°F♭ |
Chords in the G♭ Dorian scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
G♭ Dorian on the piano
Improvisation drone · G♭
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano G♭ Dorian uses four black keys (G♭, A♭, D♭ and E♭) and three white. B𝄫, C♭ and F♭ are the white keys you'd normally call A, B and E.
G♭ · A♭ · B𝄫 · C♭ · D♭ · E♭ · F♭
Try G♭ Dorian on the virtual piano
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G♭ Dorian on the guitar
G♭ Dorian - fr 0–12
G♭ Dorian on the staff
Notes of the G♭ Dorian scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G♭ | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | A♭ | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | B𝄫 | minor 3rd3m | 3 | |
| 4 | C♭ | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | D♭ | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | E♭ | major 6th6M | 9 | |
| 7 | F♭ | minor 7th7m | 10 |
What makes G♭ 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 G♭, G♭ Dorian has E♭ where G♭ Natural Minor has E𝄫; every other note is shared with G♭ Natural Minor (G♭ A♭ B𝄫 C♭ D♭ E𝄫 F♭).
Modes from G♭ Dorian
Each note of this scale produces a different mode with its own character.
How to use the G♭ Dorian scale
The diatonic chords of G♭ Dorian are: i = G♭m, ii = A♭m, III = B𝄫, IV = C♭, v = D♭m, vi° = E♭°, VII = F♭. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in G♭ 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 G♭ 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 G♭ Dorian
Start with the music described above: listen for G♭ 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 G♭ Dorian scale?
The G♭ Dorian scale contains G♭, A♭, B𝄫, C♭, D♭, E♭ and F♭.
What is the formula for the G♭ Dorian scale?
G♭ Dorian follows a minor scale with a raised sixth degree (W-H-W-W-W-H-W).
Is G♭ Dorian a major or minor scale?
G♭ Dorian is a dorian scale. Minor scale with a bright raised sixth - sophisticated and groove-friendly.
What chords belong to the G♭ Dorian scale?
The diatonic chords of G♭ Dorian are G♭m, A♭m, B𝄫, C♭, D♭m, E♭°, F♭.
Which genres use G♭ 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 G♭ Dorian scale on the piano?
On the piano G♭ Dorian uses four black keys (G♭, A♭, D♭ and E♭) and three white. B𝄫, C♭ and F♭ are the white keys you'd normally call A, B and E.
What is the difference between G♭ Dorian and G♭ Natural Minor?
On G♭, G♭ Dorian has E♭ where G♭ Natural Minor has E𝄫; every other note is shared with G♭ Natural Minor (G♭ A♭ B𝄫 C♭ D♭ E𝄫 F♭).
How do I practise the G♭ Dorian scale?
Solo over a minor 7 chord using only dorian notes. That raised sixth makes phrases sound bright without losing the minor character.