B 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
- B Dorian
- Family
- Diatonic modes
- Note count
- 7
- Step formula
- W – H – W – W – W – H – W
Notes & degrees
1Broot
2C#major 2nd
b3Dminor 3rd
4Eperfect 4th
5F#perfect 5th
6G#major 6th
b7Aminor 7th
Characteristic degrees
VIG#raised 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
- BWC#HDWEWF#WG#HA
- Reference mode
- B Aeolian
B Aeolian
IB
IIC#
IIID
IVE
VF#
VIG
VIIA
B Dorian
IB
IIC#
IIID
IVE
VF#
VIG#
VIIA
How the mode is built
- Position in the system
- Degree 2 of the parent major scale
- Parent scale
- A majorDorian mode — degree 2 of the scale
- Parallel major
- B majormajor from the same tonic
Sibling modes
Chords by degree
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IBpoint of resttonic
IIIDdefines modal qualitythird
VF#supports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
IIIDD
IVEE
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IBB
IIC#C#
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This mode on guitar 🎸
See how B 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.