Ab Dorian
A minor diatonic mode with a major 6th; brighter than natural minor.
Octaves
Musical context
How the scale relates to the chord, mode, key and progression.
Theory
General info
- Name
- Ab Dorian
- Family
- Diatonic scales
- Note count
- 7
- Step formula
- W – H – W – W – W – H – W
- Numeric formula
- 0-2-1-2-2-2-1-2
Notes & degrees
1Abroot
2Bbmajor 2nd
b3Cbminor 3rd
4Dbperfect 4th
5Ebperfect 5th
6Fmajor 6th
b7Gbminor 7th
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
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 scale 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.