Interactive piano keyboard showing E Dorian scale degrees. Click highlighted keys to play.
E dorian (E, F♯, G, A, B, C♯, D) is a guitar-friendly dorian key with two sharps, where the major 6th (C♯) creates a Celtic, melodic quality. Irish traditional music frequently uses E dorian, and it appears in rock and jazz fusion for its bright-but-minor character. The open low E string provides a powerful drone root.
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 E Dorian are: Em, F#m, G, A, Bm, C#dim, D. These are the chords built naturally from each degree of the scale.
What is the Dorian?
E dorian (E, F♯, G, A, B, C♯, D) is a guitar-friendly dorian key with two sharps, where the major 6th (C♯) creates a Celtic, melodic quality. Irish traditional music frequently uses E dorian, and it appears in rock and jazz fusion for its bright-but-minor character. The open low E string provides a powerful drone root.
What notes are in the E Dorian?
The E Dorian contains the notes: E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D. This is a 7-note scale starting from E.
How many chords does the E Dorian have?
The E Dorian produces 7 diatonic chords, one built on each degree of the scale: Em, F#m, G, A, Bm, C#dim, D.
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
E is at the 4 o'clock position. Related keys: B (dominant), A (subdominant), C# (relative minor), F# (supertonic), D (subtonic).