Notes in the A Dorian scale
| Degree | Note | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Tonic |
| 2 | B | Supertonic |
| ♭3 | C | Mediant |
| 4 | D | Subdominant |
| 5 | E | Dominant |
| 6 | F♯ | Submediant |
| ♭7 | G | Subtonic |
Each note uses a different letter name, so the spelling follows the scale rather than the keyboard: A B C D E F♯ G.
A Dorian scale formula
The pattern of steps from one note to the next is W – H – W – W – W – H – W (W = whole step, H = half step). Compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7.
Chords in the A Dorian scale
Stacking thirds on each note of the scale gives these chords:
| Degree | Triad | 7th chord |
|---|---|---|
| i | Am | Am7 |
| ii | Bm | Bm7 |
| III | C | Cmaj7 |
| IV | D | D7 |
| v | Em | Em7 |
| vi° | F♯° | F♯ø7 |
| VII | G | Gmaj7 |
Chord names link to guitar chord shapes where we have them.
Related scales
- Parent major scale: G Major, which has exactly the same notes as A Dorian.
How to practise the A Dorian scale
Learn each mode by its characteristic note: the one that makes it different from the major or minor scale it most resembles. Play a drone on the tonic while you play the scale to hear its colour.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes in the A Dorian scale?
The notes of the A Dorian scale are A B C D E F♯ G.
What is the formula for the A Dorian scale?
The pattern of whole and half steps is W – H – W – W – W – H – W (W = whole step, H = half step). In scale degrees: 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7.
What chords are in the A Dorian scale?
Built from the scale in triads: Am, Bm, C, D, Em, F♯°, G.
More A scales
A Major, A Natural Minor, A Harmonic Minor, A Melodic Minor, A Phrygian, A Lydian, A Mixolydian, A Locrian, A Major Pentatonic, A Minor Pentatonic, A Blues, A Lydian Dominant, A Altered, A Whole Tone, A Dorian ♭2, A Lydian Augmented, A Mixolydian ♭6, A Locrian ♯2, A Phrygian Dominant, A Hungarian Minor, A Double Harmonic, A Diminished (W–H), A Diminished (H–W), A Bebop Dominant, A Bebop Major
Explore the full scales library, find a scale from notes with the scale finder, or see every chord in every key in the chord chart.