Interactive piano keyboard showing F# Dorian scale degrees. Click highlighted keys to play.
F♯ dorian (F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D♯, E) is a rock and jazz guitarist's essential dorian key, with four sharps and a major 6th (D♯) that enables expressive, melodic soloing. It works beautifully over F♯m7 chord vamps in funk and fusion contexts. The relative major is E, connecting it to a popular rock key.
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 F# Dorian are: F#m, G#m, A, B, C#m, D#dim, E. These are the chords built naturally from each degree of the scale.
What is the Dorian?
F♯ dorian (F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D♯, E) is a rock and jazz guitarist's essential dorian key, with four sharps and a major 6th (D♯) that enables expressive, melodic soloing. It works beautifully over F♯m7 chord vamps in funk and fusion contexts. The relative major is E, connecting it to a popular rock key.
What notes are in the F# Dorian?
The F# Dorian contains the notes: F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#, E. This is a 7-note scale starting from F#.
How many chords does the F# Dorian have?
The F# Dorian produces 7 diatonic chords, one built on each degree of the scale: F#m, G#m, A, B, C#m, D#dim, E.
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
F# is at the 6 o'clock position. Related keys: C# (dominant), B (subdominant), Eb (relative minor), Ab (supertonic), E (subtonic).