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♯mBC♯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 five black keys (G♯, A♯, C♯, D♯ and F♯) and two white. E♯ is the white key you'd normally call F.
G♯ · A♯ · B · C♯ · D♯ · E♯ · F♯
Play G♯ Dorian on the online 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 five black keys (G♯, A♯, C♯, D♯ and F♯) and two white. E♯ is the white key you'd normally call F.
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.