Dorian · D · Piano
The D Dorian scale is D E F G A B C — formula 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7, step pattern W–H–W–W–W–H–W. Use it over Dm7: it is the scale for minor-seventh chords, especially the ii chord in a major ii–V–I and modal minor vamps. Below, every note is marked on the two-octave keyboard; press play to hear it on a synthesized piano while each note lights up, or tap any key to sound that note.
Visualizer
Piano
Guitar · standard tuning
Tap any note on the diagram to hear it. Play loops the scale up and down one octave in eighth notes (switch Loop off for a single pass). “Show” switches or combines the fretboard and keyboard; “Sound” picks the instrument you hear. Audio is synthesized in the browser.
Reference
| Degree | Note | Interval from D | Step to next |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | unison (0 semitones) | W |
| 2 | E | major 2nd (2 semitones) | H |
| ♭3 | F | minor 3rd (3 semitones) | W |
| 4 | G | perfect 4th (5 semitones) | W |
| 5 | A | perfect 5th (7 semitones) | W |
| 6 | B | major 6th (9 semitones) | H |
| ♭7 | C | minor 7th (10 semitones) | W |
Chord it implies: Dm7 (D – F – A – C). Use it for: minor-seventh chords, especially the ii chord in a major ii–V–I and modal minor vamps.
Common questions
D E F G A B C. As scale degrees: 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7. It has 7 notes.
D Dorian fits Dm7 and, more generally, minor-seventh chords, especially the ii chord in a major ii–V–I and modal minor vamps.
1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7 — the step pattern from the root is W H W W W H W (W = whole step, H = half step).
Play D E F G A B C D ascending from the root, then descend. The keyboard above shows every root in gold, chord tones outlined in amber and the remaining scale tones in teal; use the Play button to hear the fingering tempo.
Keep going
Same scale on guitar · all Dorian pages: Dorian hub · practise it in context: ii–V–I trainer · theory: chord-scale theory.
Other scales from D