First, a dorian scale is just a scale that starts off on the second note of a major scale, and then continues up to the same note in the same major scale.

So to play a dorian scale in any major scale, first play the second note, and then play all of the notes in that major scale up until the next “second” note.

For instance, in a C major scale, D is the second, so starting from D going up in the C major scale, all white keys, gives you D E F G A B C D. It’s the same as the C major scale, except that you’re starting from the second note instead of the first note.

The main use for dorian scales is giving a foolproof way to solo over minor 7th chords, and sometimes entire chord progressions too. They are second to maybe pentatonic scales and blues scales, in my opinion of course.

Anyways, to continue on, I form dorian scales using two basic methods. One of which I think is easier:

The Whole Step Down Method

A ‘whole step down’ is 2 notes down, including black keys. E a whole step down would mean E to Eb, and then down one more note to D.

Another whole step down example would be B down to Bb, and then Bb down to A (often said as “A is a whole step down from B”)

To find a dorian scale with the whole step down method, play in the major scale that is a whole step down.

For C dorian, the major scale that is a whole step down from C is Bb major, so C dorian starts on C and then goes up in the Bb major scale, C D Eb F G A Bb C.

In D dorian, a whole step down is C, so D dorian starts on D, then continues in the C major scale.

In G dorian, a whole step down is F, so G dorian starts on G and goes up in F major.

Basically you’re just starting on the 1st note of the dorian scale that you’re trying to find, then going down a whole step and playing in that major scale.

That’s it for this method. It really is that simple and all you need to know to use it are your major scales. But if you’re finding that the whole step down method isn’t intuitive for you, feel free to try the additional method below, which is also very simple to understand:

Flat 3rd and Flat 7th Method

To find any dorian scale, simply flat the 3rd and 7th of the major scale. If you want to find the C dorian scale, all you do is take the C major scale, and then flat the 3rd and 7th notes (Eb and Bb) and play up in that scale (C D Eb F G A Bb C).

For the flat 3rd and flat 7th method, to find a dorian scale, just flat the 3rd and 7th of the major scale.

Here are some examples of this method in action:

F Dorian is the F Major scale with a flatted 3rd and a flatted 7th (the notes A and E are flatted to Ab and Eb), or F G Ab Bb C D Eb F.

D Dorian is a D Major scale with a flatted 3rd and flatted 7th (F# and C# change to F and C), or D E F G A B C D.

G Dorian is G Major with the 3rd and 7th flatted (B and F# change to Bb and F), or G A Bb C D E F G.

Test it out for yourself and try to find the answer to Bb dorian:

Which 3rd and 7th are flatted for Bb dorian? What is the Bb dorian scale?

Answer: The 3rd and 7th of Bb major are D and A, which are then flatted to get the Bb dorian scale, Bb C Db Eb F G Ab Bb.

Simple and Immediately Useful Way To Use Dorian Scales

Dorian scales are good over minor 7th chords and minor chords in general. If you ever just want to sit down at the piano and play, minor 7th chords with dorian scales sound beautiful.

All you have to do is take two different minor 7th chords and each of their dorian scales, and go between the two chords and scales.

This video will show you 3 different minor 7th chords and their dorian scales, so you can be left with something practical that you can actually apply right now, rather than only theory.

Chords and Scales

E minor 7
Left Hand – E G B D           Right Hand – F# G B D
Solo on 2 sharps scale – E F# G A B C# D E

Eb minor 7
Left Hand – Eb Gb Bb Db   Right Hand – F Gb Bb Db
Solo on Eb F Gb Ab Bb C Db Eb

D minor 7
Left Hand – D F A C             Right Hand – E F A C
Solo on D E F G A B C D

If after watching this you are still hungry for more, 15 Free Beginner Lessons and the Jazz Piano PDF await you. Don’t underestimate the power of this approach to learning jazz piano. Additionally I will never ask for anything in return for these free videos and resources, so they are yours to do with as you please forever.

I promise you that you will see results in a matter of days by applying these techniques and this approach to jazz chords and soloing. I am big on actually applying the things that you’ve learned, so posts like this that give you immediately tangible results you’ll find will be the norm here.

The lessons can save you literally years of frustration and confusion at the piano, wanting to express yourself in more ways but feeling like you can’t. Once you understand these simple ways to form chords and scales that you can play right now, like minor 7th chords, pentatonic scales, and full right hand chords, a whole world will open up to you that you never knew exists.

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