Interactive piano keyboard showing Ab Dorian scale degrees. Click highlighted keys to play.
A♭ dorian (A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F, G♭) is an uncommon but richly coloured scale with six flats in its key signature. Its major 6th (F) adds a note of brightness within an otherwise dark, heavy tonality. A♭ dorian is primarily used in jazz and film scoring for its deep, weighty character.
Dorian differs from natural minor by its major 6th — a single interval that transforms dark melancholy into hopeful brightness. This is why Dorian feels like “minor with optimism,” the go-to mode for jazz, funk, and soul grooves.
The seven diatonic modes — parallel modes starting from the same root with different interval patterns. Each mode has a unique character derived from the major scale.
The diatonic chords in Ab Dorian are: Abm, Bbm, B, Db, Ebm, Fdim, Gb. These are the chords built naturally from each degree of the scale.
What is the Dorian?
A♭ dorian (A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F, G♭) is an uncommon but richly coloured scale with six flats in its key signature. Its major 6th (F) adds a note of brightness within an otherwise dark, heavy tonality. A♭ dorian is primarily used in jazz and film scoring for its deep, weighty character.
What notes are in the Ab Dorian?
The Ab Dorian contains the notes: Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, F, Gb. This is a 7-note scale starting from Ab.
How many chords does the Ab Dorian have?
The Ab Dorian produces 7 diatonic chords, one built on each degree of the scale: Abm, Bbm, B, Db, Ebm, Fdim, Gb.
What is the formula for the Dorian?
The Dorian follows the interval formula: W-H-W-W-W-H-W (W = whole step, H = half step).
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Position in circle of fifths
Ab is at the 8 o'clock position. Related keys: Eb (dominant), C# (subdominant), F (relative minor), Bb (supertonic), F# (subtonic).