What Chords Are In The Dorian Mode

A brusk primer on the cosmos and use of the dorian modal scale.

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Guitarist A discussion virtually modes can become very technical, so let's look at a simple, immediately useful definition ofmodal scales. For our purposes, a calibration is whatsoever sequence of notes that starts on i pitch, and uses every alphabetic character name in sequence as it moves higher.Major scales are a serial of notes that follow each other using the letters of the alphabet, adjusted to follow a detail design of tones and semitones: T T st T T T st. And so an F major calibration starts on an F, and, befitting to the tone-semitone pattern, gives usa this: F Chiliad A Bb C D Due east F. As you tin come across, the scale of F major uses a primal signature of 1 apartment: Bb.

So that'south the somewhat easy function. But what's a modal scale?

A modal calibration is a scale that uses a major scale'south fundamental signature, but uses a different letter of the alphabet name every bit a starting point. We know that a scale that goes from F to F, using Bb instead of B natural, gives us an F major scale. Just let's say we played a scale that starts on Thousand and ends on K the octave to a higher place it, but uses the key signature of F major: Bb. That would give us a scale that looks similar this: G A Bb C D E F G.

That calibration is the dorian scale, and it's a blazon of modal scale. A dorian calibration starts on the second note of a major scale. In the case I just described, G is the 2d note of F major. Whatsoever vocal that uses that scale, and centres on G as a harmonic and melodic goal, is said to exist "in the dorian mode."

Modes are transposable. If you've been told that a sure vocal is in C dorian, you tin assume that the key signature is 2 flats, considering C is the 2d note of Bb major, which uses 2 flats.

When yous look at a dorian calibration, you'll see (and hear, of form) that it sounds quite like a minor scale because it starts with the notes of the minor scale. In G dorian, the first 3 notes are: G A Bb. It's that sixth note — the E — that is the so-called "dorian note", that note that identifies the calibration as beingness dorian. The other mode that often gets confused with dorian is the Aeolian mode. In G aeolian, you'd hear an Eb instead of the Due east.

And it's that note, E, that will brand your chord progressions sound interestingly unique. Dorian chord progressions volition often use a major 4-chord side by side to a minor I-chord. The

To create song melodies and chords in the dorian fashion, yous'll starting time want a few chord examples that you tin improvise melodies over. Attempt these brusque dorian-based chord progressions. Play them over and over, and improvise melodic shapes on the notes GABbCDEFG:

Gm C Dm C :||
Gm F Gm C :||
Gm Dm F Gm :||

In your improvising, yous'll want the melodies to keep G as a kind of tonal focal betoken. Your melodies should keep coming back to the annotation Chiliad, an important function of making a melody sound dorian.

And as I mentioned, it's that note Eastward in the chord progressions (specially as information technology appears in the chord C) that will give your chords a deliciously dorian quality.

As you use the annotation E in your melodies, effort having it move "through" E, on its way upwards to F, or on its fashion down to D.

For some examples of music in the dorian mode, give these ones a listen:

Eleanor Rigby (Lennon & McCartney). The tune is in Eastward dorian (Eastward F# Chiliad A B C# D Due east), though the chords avoid that major Four-chord.
Evil Means (Santana)
Purple Haze (Jimi Hendrix)

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Written by Gary Ewer, from "The Essential Secrets of Songwriting" website.
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