The Dorian mode is a musical mode that dates back to ancient Greece. It is a minor mode, which means it has a darker, more melancholic sound than a major mode. Specifically, the Dorian mode is a type of natural minor scale with a raised sixth scale degree. This raised sixth gives the mode a unique sound and allows it to be used in a variety of musical contexts.
To form a Dorian scale, you start with a natural minor scale (in this case, the A natural minor scale) and raise the sixth scale degree:
A B C D E F G A ( A natural Minor)
A B C D E F# G A (Dorian)
This gives you the A Dorian scale. You can apply this same process to any natural minor scale to form its corresponding Dorian scale.
A list of the Dorian Mode Scales
Here are all the scales in the Dorian mode, starting on each note of the chromatic scale:
C Dorian: C D Eb F G A Bb C
C# Dorian: C# D# E F# G# A# B C#
D Dorian: D E F G A B C D
Eb Dorian: Eb F Gb Ab Bb C Db Eb
E Dorian: E F# G A B C# D E
F Dorian: F G Ab Bb C D Eb F
F# Dorian: F# G# A B C# D# E F#
G Dorian: G A Bb C D E F G
Ab Dorian: Ab Bb Cb Db Eb F Gb Ab
A Dorian: A B C D E F# G A
Bb Dorian: Bb C Db Eb F G Ab Bb
B Dorian: B C# D E F# G# A B
Difference of Chords between a Dorian Mode and the D Minor Scale
Dorian Mode Chords
D Dorian: D E F G A B C D
To harmonise the scale, we’ll build triads (three-note chords) on each note of the scale using every other note. The resulting chords will be:
01. D minor (D F A)
02. E Minor (E G B)
03. F major (F A C)
04. G Major (G B D) – in the minor scale this would a G Minor chord
05. A minor (A C E) – in the minor this could be A or A Minor
06. B Dim (B D F)
07. C major (C E G)
So the chords in D Dorian are: D minor, E diminished, F major, G minor, A minor, Bb major, and C major.
It’s important to note that while these chords are all diatonic to D Dorian, not all of them are commonly used or equally important in practice. The most commonly used chords in D Dorian would be D minor, G major, and C major, which are the i, iv, and VII chords respectively.
D Minor Scale and Chords
The chords in D natural minor are formed by harmonizing the D natural minor scale, which is:
D E F G A Bb C D
To harmonize the scale, we’ll build triads on each note of the scale using every other note. The resulting chords will be:
- D minor (D F A)
- E diminished (E G Bb)
- F major (F A C)
- G minor (G Bb D)
- A minor (A C E)
- Bb major (Bb D F)
- C major (C E G)
As you can see, the chords in D natural minor are identical to the chords in D Dorian except for one note – the sixth scale degree. In D natural minor, the sixth scale degree is Bb, while in D Dorian, it’s B natural. This means that the only difference between the chords in D natural minor and D Dorian is the presence of the Bb in the former and the B natural in the latter.
The presence of the B natural in D Dorian gives it a unique sound that distinguishes it from D natural minor. The raised sixth scale degree creates a major sixth interval between the tonic (D) and the sixth scale degree (B), which gives D Dorian a brighter, more uplifting quality than D natural minor. Additionally, the chords built on the sixth scale degree and the seventh scale degree (Bb and C in D natural minor) create a stronger sense of tension and pull towards the tonic than the corresponding chords in D Dorian (B dim and C in D Dorian).
To summarise, the chords in D natural minor are the same as the chords in D Dorian except for the presence of a Bb instead of a B natural. This difference gives D Dorian a brighter, more uplifting quality and a different harmonic character than D natural minor.
Other Dorian Examples
A Dorian key signature is G major (so a tone down) . Note this is an easy way to work out dorians!
C Dorian for example would be the Key signature of Bb or a dominant seventh above. Or, In the cycle of fifths just add a flat going anti-clockwise around the wheel.
The key chord difference is the chord on the fourth degree of the scale which in D dorian is G major rather than G Minor.
Examples of the Dorian Mode in the Repertoire
As for famous pieces of music that use the Dorian mode, there are plenty to choose from! Here are a few examples:
- “Scarborough Fair” – This traditional English folk song is based on the Dorian mode and features a simple melody accompanied by a drone on the open strings of a guitar.
- “Oye Como Va” – This Latin jazz classic, popularized by Santana, features a memorable melody based on the Dorian mode.
- “So What” – This jazz standard by Miles Davis is one of the most famous examples of the Dorian mode in use. The entire piece is based on a two-chord vamp in D Dorian.
- “Baba O’Riley” – This classic rock anthem by The Who features a riff based on the Dorian mode, played on an electric organ.
- “A Horse with No Name” – This hit song by America is also based on the Dorian mode, with a simple chord progression and melody that evoke a desert-like atmosphere.
Here is a piece of music that I have written in the Dorian Mode called “English Idyll”. It changes key to the D Major key at various points within the piece.
If you would like to purchase the complete Piano Piece then contact me.
Concluding Thoughts
In conclusion, the Dorian mode is a fascinating musical mode with a unique sound that has been used in countless pieces of music throughout history. If you’re a musician, exploring the Dorian mode (and its other modal cousins) can be a great way to expand your musical vocabulary and add some new colours to your playing.
More Information
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorian_mode
