Chord & FretDorian (D)
Dorian is the 2nd mode of Ionian — that is, the same seven notes as the major scale, played starting from the second degree. Compared with natural minor, only one note changes: the 6th rises a half step, and that small shift lifts the sadness and adds a looser, almost danceable groove. It is the color of funk, soul, modal jazz and rock; a back-and-forth between Dm7 and G7 is the classic invitation to use it.
Example: D – E – F – G – A – B – CFormula: 1 – 2 – b3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – b7In the formula, the numbers are degrees — positions counted in the reference major scale; "b" lowers a half step and "#" raises one.
Family: The seven modes of the major scale.
The diatonic modes share the same pattern of tones and semitones but reorganize the center. To sound modal you have to reinforce the center and the characteristic degree — if the music keeps resolving to C, the ear hears C major, not D Dorian.
Chords in the harmonic field
These are the seven chords born from this scale — one built on each of its notes. Put another way: the set of chords that sounds naturally "inside" the scale. See the harmonic field of every key →
Dm7Em7Fmaj7G7Am7Bm7b5Cmaj7The same scale on all four instruments
In the diagrams, each dot carries its scale degree — 1 is the tonic, highlighted.
What you see above is one box of Dorian per instrument; the full map lives in the app. In Chord & Fret, you hear the scale in each of the four instruments' own voices; walk the scale's positions along the whole neck; and run it up, down or in a full round trip. Start free. Unlock everything with Pro. 100% offline. See it in Chord & Fret →