C Dorian scale on piano
The C Dorian scale on piano has 7 notes: C, D, E flat, F, G, A, and B flat (C, D, E♭, F, G, A, B♭). It uses 2 black keys: E♭, B♭.
- C 1
- D 2
- E♭ E flat ♭3
- F 4
- G 5
- A 6
- B♭ B flat ♭7
The highlighted keys are the notes of the scale, with the name and the degree; the tonic (C) 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 C 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
- C
- W
- D
- H
- E♭
- W
- F
- W
- G
- W
- A
- H
- B♭
- W
- C
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 | Cm | Cm7 |
| IIm | Dm | Dm7 |
| III | E♭ | E♭7M |
| IV | F | F7 |
| Vm | Gm | Gm7 |
| VI° | A° | Am7(b5) |
| VII | B♭ | B♭7M |
Arpeggios of these chords on piano
Scales with the same notes
More C scales
- Major
- Natural minor
- Harmonic minor
- Melodic minor
- Major pentatonic
- Minor pentatonic
- Blues
- Major blues
- Dorian
- Phrygian
- Lydian
- Mixolydian
- Locrian
- 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 C Dorian scale?
The notes of the C Dorian scale are C, D, E flat, F, G, A, and B flat. It uses 2 black keys: E♭, B♭.
What is the formula of the C 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 C Dorian scale?
The chords of the key are Cm, Dm, E♭, F, Gm, A°, B♭. Tap each one to see it on the keyboard.