When home base is on the 2nd degree of the major scale
The Dorian mode has a special place in music theory and composition—it’s neither purely major nor minor, but something beautifully in between. This modal flavor has been captivating listeners for centuries, from medieval chants to modern pop hits, and understanding how it works can add a powerful new color to your musical palette.
What is Dorian Mode?
Dorian mode is built on the second degree of the major scale.
Check it out. If you take a C major scale:
And compare it to a D dorian scale:
You can see that like C major, D dorian uses the white keys of the piano. The magic happens in its unique interval structure. Many people describe the dorian mode as having a minor feel to it but with a brighter sound. So how does a dorian scale differ from a minor scale?
C Minor
C Dorian
The dorian and minor scales differ only by a single note (scale degree 6), so it’s not surprising that they sound similar.
The Magic Major IV Chord
One way to highlight the difference between Dorian mode and natural minor is using a major IV chord. Four chords are some of the most important and frequently used chords in general, and the four chord in the dorian mode is a major chord (IV), which contrasts with the four chord in the minor mode, which is a minor chord (iv).
The Dorian Cadence:
Emphasizing the major IV chord in dorian songwriting is so popular, the IV – i cadence is called a dorian cadence.
Dorian Songwriting Tips
When writing in Dorian mode, consider these approaches:
Emphasize the sixth: That major sixth is your friend. Use it in melodies and make sure your chord progressions highlight it. The i-IV movement is the quickest way to establish Dorian character.
Think melodically: Dorian melodies often feature that characteristic leap or step to the major sixth, then resolution back down. This creates the mode’s signature “lift and fall” feeling.
Harmonic rhythm: Dorian works well with both fast and slow harmonic rhythms. Quick changes can create energy and drive, while slower progressions let the modal colors breathe and develop.
Modal interchange: Don’t be afraid to borrow chords from parallel modes. You can briefly visit natural minor or even major while maintaining the overall Dorian character.
Common Dorian Mode Chord Progressions:
Here are some common C Dorian mode chord progressions with downloadable MIDI files. For a full list see the C Dorian Cheat sheet.
Songs You Didn’t Know where in Dorian Mode
Or use TheoryTab Database’s advanced search to explore all songs in our database in Dorian mode.