Eb 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
- Eb Dorian
- Family
- Diatonic modes
- Note count
- 7
- Step formula
- W – H – W – W – W – H – W
Notes & degrees
1Ebroot
2Fmajor 2nd
b3Gbminor 3rd
4Abperfect 4th
5Bbperfect 5th
6Cmajor 6th
b7Dbminor 7th
Characteristic degrees
VICraised 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
- EbWFHGbWAbWBbWCHDb
- Reference mode
- Eb Aeolian
Eb Aeolian
IEb
IIF
IIIGb
IVAb
VBb
VICb
VIIDb
Eb Dorian
IEb
IIF
IIIGb
IVAb
VBb
VIC
VIIDb
How the mode is built
- Position in the system
- Degree 2 of the parent major scale
- Parent scale
- C# majorDorian mode — degree 2 of the scale
- Parallel major
- Eb majormajor from the same tonic
Sibling modes
Chords by degree
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IEbpoint of resttonic
IIIGbdefines modal qualitythird
VBbsupports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
IIIGbGb
IVAbAb
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IEbEb
IIFF
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This mode on guitar 🎸
See how Eb 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.