The Dorian Mode

What does Dorian sound like?

The scale in Dorian starts with a dark, somber energy and brightens up towards the end of the scale, giving it flexibility in its emotional intent.

Dorian sounds like a cross between a minor and a major scale: It begins with the sorrowful feel of a minor scale, and moving into a more hopeful sound like the major scale. A great example of Dorian in popular music is in Tears for Fears’ iconic hit ‘Mad World’, which has an overall melancholic aura surrounding it, whilst simultaneously conveying a feeling of hope and wonder. 

Learning the Dorian Mode

Dorian mode is a scale composed of a characteristic whole-step and half-step pattern: W-H-W-W-W-H-W. 

This pattern gives Dorian its distinct sound and just like the major scale, once you know the pattern, you know the mode. Thankfully, there is an easy way to figure out the Dorian pattern by using the C major scale.

^{C major starting on C}

Take the C major scale - which is all the white notes - but instead of starting and ending on C, start and end on D (as in the above image). And voila! You just played Dorian in D, it’s as simple as that.

^{Dorian starting on D}

Dorian has a similar feel to a minor key, but what really gives Dorian its character is the relationship between the above notes A, B and C. How these notes relate to the starting note (in this case, D) are what gives Dorian the contrasting mystical, uplifting feel that you wouldn’t get with a minor key. Have a play around with this, and you’ll really begin to understand that contrast. 

Just remember: If it’s Dorian in D - listen to A B C!

As mentioned above, the whole-step/half-step pattern for Dorian is W-H-W-W-W-H-W. If you want to play Dorian in a different key, simply apply the step pattern to a different starting key.

^{Dorian starting on G}

If you ever want to play Dorian using only white keys, it’s D for Dorian.

Alternative methods

Don’t have a piano at hand? Don’t want to count whole steps and half steps? Fret not! As we’ve already established, Dorian follows the same major scale of the whole step before it, so if you wanted to play Dorian in E, just play the notes of the D major scale starting on E.

^{Dorian starting on E}

If you’re more familiar with minor scales, you can also play the natural minor scale of your chosen key, sharpen the 6th note, and presto – it’s Dorian!

Summary

Dorian mode can add an uplifting flavor to your music, having the malleability to move from a sorrowful energy, to a bright and mystical sparkle. 

The notes of the Dorian mode can be found by either of the 3 methods:

• Apply the whole-step/half-step pattern of W-H-W-W-W-H-W.
• Choose the notes of the major scale a whole step below your starting note.
• Play the natural minor scale and sharpen the 6th note.

Making use of modes allows you to explore musical ideas you may never have encountered when writing in natural major or minor scales. After all that’s one of the best things about music – discovering something new and thinking “Wow! What did I just hear?” Keeping the magic in your musical journey is what it’s all about. 

Now that you’ve learned how to play in Dorian, go and show those Gregorian Monks how it’s done!

Learn the other Modes