Db 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
- Db Dorian
- Family
- Diatonic modes
- Note count
- 7
- Step formula
- W – H – W – W – W – H – W
Notes & degrees
1Dbroot
2Ebmajor 2nd
b3Fbminor 3rd
4Gbperfect 4th
5Abperfect 5th
6Bbmajor 6th
b7Cbminor 7th
Characteristic degrees
VIBbraised 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
- DbWEbHFbWGbWAbWBbHCb
- Reference mode
- Db Aeolian
Db Aeolian
IDb
IIEb
IIIFb
IVGb
VAb
VIA
VIICb
Db Dorian
IDb
IIEb
IIIFb
IVGb
VAb
VIBb
VIICb
How the mode is built
- Position in the system
- Degree 2 of the parent major scale
- Parent scale
- Cb major
- Parallel major
- Db majormajor from the same tonic
Sibling modes
Chords by degree
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IDbpoint of resttonic
IIIFbdefines modal qualitythird
VAbsupports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
IIIFbFb
IVGbGb
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IDbDb
IIEbEb
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This mode on guitar 🎸
See how Db 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.