A♭ Dorian scale
The A♭ Dorian scale has the notes A♭ B♭ C♭ D♭ E♭ F G♭. Its formula is 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7. It is mode 2 of the G♭ major scale: the same notes, starting on A♭. Key signature: 6 flats (A♭ B♭ C♭ D♭ E♭ G♭).
It can also be written as G♯; we use the spelling with fewer accidentals.
Scale notes
| Degree | Formula | Note |
|---|---|---|
| I | 1 | A♭ tonic |
| II | 2 | B♭ |
| III | b3 | C♭ |
| IV | 4 | D♭ |
| V | 5 | E♭ |
| VI | 6 | F |
| VII | b7 | G♭ |
Chords of the scale
| Symbol | Chord | Notes | Chord-scale | Tensions | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Im7 modal center | A♭m7 | A♭ C♭ E♭ G♭ | Dorian A♭ | 9 (B♭), 11 (D♭), 13 (F) | – |
| IIm7 | B♭m7 | B♭ D♭ F A♭ | Phrygian B♭ | 11 (E♭) | b9 (C♭), b13 (G♭) |
| bIIIMaj7 | C♭Maj7 | C♭ E♭ G♭ B♭ | Lydian C♭ | 9 (D♭), #11 (F), 13 (A♭) | – |
| IV7 characteristic | D♭7 | D♭ F A♭ C♭ | Mixolydian D♭ | 9 (E♭), 13 (B♭) | 11 (G♭) |
| Vm7 | E♭m7 | E♭ G♭ B♭ D♭ | Aeolian E♭ | 9 (F), 11 (A♭) | b13 (C♭) |
| VIø | Fø | F A♭ C♭ E♭ | Locrian F | 11 (B♭), b13 (D♭) | b9 (G♭) |
| bVIIMaj7 characteristic | G♭Maj7 | G♭ B♭ D♭ F | Ionian G♭ | 9 (A♭), 13 (E♭) | 11 (C♭) |
Character and characteristic note
The Dorian mode is the second mode of the major scale. It is a minor scale (it has a minor third) with a major sixth, which gives it a more open, hopeful color than natural minor. It is common in modal jazz and funk.
- Effect: hopeful, soft, cool.
- Characteristic note: major 6th.
- Characteristic chords: IV7 (D♭7), bVIIMaj7 (G♭Maj7).
How to use it
Center Im7. Alternate with the characteristic chords IV7 (the strongest, a plagal root) and bVIIMaj7, and return to Im7 quickly. The melody keeps coming back to 1 or 5, contrasted with the 6. No dominants resolving down a fifth, slow harmonic rhythm.
Watch out for
- bVIIMaj7 or Vm7 without an immediate return to Im7 risk modulating.
- Im7 IV7 bVIIMaj7 tonicizes the Ionian of bVII.
Examples
- Footprints
- So What
- Impressions
- Milestones
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the A♭ Dorian scale?
A♭ B♭ C♭ D♭ E♭ F G♭. 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7.
What chords can you build on the A♭ Dorian scale?
The seventh chords on each degree are Im7 = A♭m7, IIm7 = B♭m7, bIIIMaj7 = C♭Maj7, IV7 = D♭7, Vm7 = E♭m7, VIø = Fø, bVIIMaj7 = G♭Maj7.
Which major scale is the A♭ Dorian scale a mode of?
It is mode 2 of the G♭ major scale; they share the same notes.
Other modes on the same tonic
- A♭ major scale
- G♯ Phrygian scale
- A♭ Lydian scale
- A♭ Mixolydian scale
- G♯ natural minor scale
- G♯ Locrian scale
Related scale: F♯ major scale