Scale
A♭ Dorian Scale
Interactive keyboard
Highlighted notes form this scale.
Notes
A♭ · B♭ · C♭ · D♭ · E♭ · F · G♭
Root: A♭
Intervals
1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · ♭7
How it is built
This scale starts on A♭ and applies the intervals 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7. The result contains 7 distinct pitch classes per octave.
Explore related combinations
Guide and musical context
About A♭ Dorian Scale
A♭ Dorian Scale uses the notes A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F, G♭. Its character is minor but brighter than natural minor because of its major sixth.
Character and sound
Minor but brighter than natural minor because of its major sixth.
Musical context and history
Modern Dorian has a minor third and major sixth. Its name comes from historical modal terminology, although modern jazz, folk, rock and funk usage is not identical to the medieval system.
How and where it is used
It is common over static minor chords, funk vamps, modal jazz, rock and traditional music.
In Theory view you can hear the pitch collection without depending on a specific fingering. Then switch to Piano, Guitar, Ukulele or Mandolin to see how the same notes are physically distributed on each instrument.
Harmonic and musical relationships
This scale can be understood as a mode of the F♯ major scale: it contains the same notes, but A♭ acts as the tonal center. Changing the center changes how the same pitches are perceived.
The formula on this page is 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · ♭7 and, from A♭, produces the notes A♭ · B♭ · C♭ · D♭ · E♭ · F · G♭.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the A♭ Dorian Scale?
The notes are A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F, G♭.
What is its interval formula?
The formula is 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · ♭7.
How does it sound and what is it used for?
Minor but brighter than natural minor because of its major sixth. It is common over static minor chords, funk vamps, modal jazz, rock and traditional music.
Can I view it on a specific instrument?
Yes. Use the selector near the top to switch between Piano, Guitar, Ukulele and Mandolin without changing the musical combination you are studying.