A Dorian scale on piano
A Dorian: a minor mode with a bright sixth, much used in jazz, funk and folk.
| Notes | A – B – C – D – E – F♯ – G – A |
|---|---|
| Steps | W – H – W – W – W – H – W (W = whole step, H = half step) |
How to play the A Dorian scale
Keep the thumb on white keys and pass it under after the longest group of fingers you can use; never put the thumb on a black key. Practise slowly, hands separately first. Start slowly with the metronome and keep every note even.
Chords in A Dorian
Build a chord on every note of the scale using only notes from the scale:
| Step | Triad | Seventh chord |
|---|---|---|
| i | A minor | Am7 |
| ii | B minor | Bm7 |
| III | C major | Cmaj7 |
| IV | D major | D7 |
| v | E minor | Em7 |
| vi° | F♯ diminished | F♯m7♭5 |
| VII | G major | Gmaj7 |
Other A scales
Practise scales every day
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