F# 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
- F# Dorian
- Family
- Diatonic modes
- Note count
- 7
- Step formula
- W – H – W – W – W – H – W
Notes & degrees
1F#root
2G#major 2nd
b3Aminor 3rd
4Bperfect 4th
5C#perfect 5th
6D#major 6th
b7Eminor 7th
Characteristic degrees
VID#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
- F#WG#HAWBWC#WD#HE
- Reference mode
- F# Aeolian
F# Aeolian
IF#
IIG#
IIIA
IVB
VC#
VID
VIIE
F# Dorian
IF#
IIG#
IIIA
IVB
VC#
VID#
VIIE
How the mode is built
- Position in the system
- Degree 2 of the parent major scale
- Parent scale
- E majorDorian mode — degree 2 of the scale
- Parallel major
- F# majormajor from the same tonic
Sibling modes
Chords by degree
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IF#point of resttonic
IIIAdefines modal qualitythird
VC#supports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
IIIAA
IVBB
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IF#F#
IIG#G#
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This mode on guitar 🎸
See how F# 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.