Notes in the G Dorian scale
| Degree | Note | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | G | Tonic |
| 2 | A | Supertonic |
| ♭3 | B♭ | Mediant |
| 4 | C | Subdominant |
| 5 | D | Dominant |
| 6 | E | Submediant |
| ♭7 | F | Subtonic |
Each note uses a different letter name, so the spelling follows the scale rather than the keyboard: G A B♭ C D E F.
G 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 G Dorian scale
Stacking thirds on each note of the scale gives these chords:
| Degree | Triad | 7th chord |
|---|---|---|
| i | Gm | Gm7 |
| ii | Am | Am7 |
| III | B♭ | B♭maj7 |
| IV | C | C7 |
| v | Dm | Dm7 |
| vi° | E° | Eø7 |
| VII | F | Fmaj7 |
Chord names link to guitar chord shapes where we have them.
Related scales
- Parent major scale: F Major, which has exactly the same notes as G Dorian.
How to practise the G 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 G Dorian scale?
The notes of the G Dorian scale are G A B♭ C D E F.
What is the formula for the G 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 G Dorian scale?
Built from the scale in triads: Gm, Am, B♭, C, Dm, E°, F.
More G scales
G Major, G Natural Minor, G Harmonic Minor, G Melodic Minor, G Phrygian, G Lydian, G Mixolydian, G Locrian, G Major Pentatonic, G Minor Pentatonic, G Blues, G Lydian Dominant, G Altered, G Whole Tone, G Dorian ♭2, G Lydian Augmented, G Mixolydian ♭6, G Locrian ♯2, G Phrygian Dominant, G Hungarian Minor, G Double Harmonic, G Diminished (W–H), G Diminished (H–W), G Bebop Dominant, G 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.