A flat Dorian scale on piano
The A flat Dorian scale on piano has 7 notes: A flat, B flat, C flat, D flat, E flat, F, and G flat (A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F, G♭). It uses 5 black keys: A♭, B♭, D♭, E♭, G♭.
- A♭ A flat 1
- B♭ B flat 2
- C♭ C flat ♭3
- D♭ D flat 4
- E♭ E flat 5
- F 6
- G♭ G flat ♭7
The highlighted keys are the notes of the scale, with the name and the degree; the tonic (A♭) has the strongest color. Tap a key to hear the note; "Play" goes up and down. The small dot marks middle C (C4).
Fingering for the A flat Dorian scale
This scale has no single fingering in piano method books. A rule that works: never put the thumb on a black key, and pass the thumb right after a black key. Fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger.
Formula
- A♭
- W
- B♭
- H
- C♭
- W
- D♭
- W
- E♭
- W
- F
- H
- G♭
- W
- A♭
Degrees: 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · ♭7. Steps: W – H – W – W – W – H – W (W = whole step, H = half step).
About the Dorian scale
A minor mode with a major 6th. A "groovy" minor sound, common in funk, jazz and rock (Santana).
Harmonized scale (chords in the key)
The chords that come from the scale, stacking thirds from each note.
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord |
|---|---|---|
| Im | A♭m | A♭m7 |
| IIm | B♭m | B♭m7 |
| III | C♭ | C♭7M |
| IV | D♭ | D♭7 |
| Vm | E♭m | E♭m7 |
| VI° | F° | Fm7(b5) |
| VII | G♭ | G♭7M |
Arpeggios of these chords on piano
Scales with the same notes
More A flat scales
- Major
- Natural minor (G♯)
- Harmonic minor
- Melodic minor
- Major pentatonic
- Minor pentatonic (G♯)
- Blues (G♯)
- Major blues
- Dorian
- Phrygian (G♯)
- Lydian
- Mixolydian
- Locrian (G♯)
- Nordestina (Brazilian baião)
- Phrygian dominant (G♯)
- Whole-tone
- Diminished (whole-half) (G♯)
- Dominant diminished (half-whole)
Dorian in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the A flat Dorian scale?
The notes of the A flat Dorian scale are A flat, B flat, C flat, D flat, E flat, F, and G flat. It uses 5 black keys: A♭, B♭, D♭, E♭, G♭.
What is the formula of the A flat Dorian scale?
In degrees: 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · ♭7. In steps between notes: W – H – W – W – W – H – W (W = whole step, H = half step).
Which chords go with the A flat Dorian scale?
The chords of the key are A♭m, B♭m, C♭, D♭, E♭m, F°, G♭. Tap each one to see it on the keyboard.