Ab Dorian
A minor diatonic mode with a major 6th; brighter than natural minor.
Octaves
Musical context
How the mode relates to the scale, chord, key and progression.
Theory
General info
- Name
- Ab Dorian
- Family
- Diatonic modes
- Note count
- 7
- Step formula
- W – H – W – W – W – H – W
Notes & degrees
1Abroot
2Bbmajor 2nd
b3Cbminor 3rd
4Dbperfect 4th
5Ebperfect 5th
6Fmajor 6th
b7Gbminor 7th
Characteristic degrees
VIFraised 6th degree
Construction
- Overview
- A minor diatonic mode with a major 6th; brighter than natural minor.
- Application in music
- Pairs with m6 and m13 chords and is used in modal jazz, funk and fusion.
- Interval formula
- AbWBbHCbWDbWEbWFHGb
- Reference mode
- Ab Aeolian
Ab Aeolian
IAb
IIBb
IIICb
IVDb
VEb
VIFb
VIIGb
Ab Dorian
IAb
IIBb
IIICb
IVDb
VEb
VIF
VIIGb
How the mode is built
- Position in the system
- Degree 2 of the parent major scale
- Parent scale
- F# majorDorian mode — degree 2 of the scale
- Parallel major
- Ab majormajor from the same tonic
Sibling modes
Chords by degree
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IAbpoint of resttonic
IIICbdefines modal qualitythird
VEbsupports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
IIICbCb
IVDbDb
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IAbAb
IIBbBb
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This mode on guitar 🎸
See how Ab Dorian looks on guitar.
Circle of fifths
The major key on the same tonic and its neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths.
Connections
Practice
Keyboard Trainer
Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.