B flat Dorian scale on piano
The B flat Dorian scale on piano has 7 notes: B flat, C, D flat, E flat, F, G, and A flat (B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G, A♭). It uses 4 black keys: B♭, D♭, E♭, A♭.
- B♭ B flat 1
- C 2
- D♭ D flat ♭3
- E♭ E flat 4
- F 5
- G 6
- A♭ A flat ♭7
The highlighted keys are the notes of the scale, with the name and the degree; the tonic (B♭) 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 B 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
- B♭
- W
- C
- H
- D♭
- W
- E♭
- W
- F
- W
- G
- H
- A♭
- W
- B♭
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 | B♭m | B♭m7 |
| IIm | Cm | Cm7 |
| III | D♭ | D♭7M |
| IV | E♭ | E♭7 |
| Vm | Fm | Fm7 |
| VI° | G° | Gm7(b5) |
| VII | A♭ | A♭7M |
Arpeggios of these chords on piano
Scales with the same notes
More B flat scales
- Major
- Natural minor
- Harmonic minor
- Melodic minor
- Major pentatonic
- Minor pentatonic
- Blues
- Major blues
- Dorian
- Phrygian
- Lydian
- Mixolydian
- Locrian (A♯)
- Nordestina (Brazilian baião)
- Phrygian dominant
- Whole-tone
- Diminished (whole-half)
- Dominant diminished (half-whole)
Dorian in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the B flat Dorian scale?
The notes of the B flat Dorian scale are B flat, C, D flat, E flat, F, G, and A flat. It uses 4 black keys: B♭, D♭, E♭, A♭.
What is the formula of the B 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 B flat Dorian scale?
The chords of the key are B♭m, Cm, D♭, E♭, Fm, G°, A♭. Tap each one to see it on the keyboard.