Dorian Scale: Theory & Ear Training

The Dorian Scale is widely used in minor-sounding Blues tonalities commonly found in Blues, rock, pop, folk, and modal jazz…

C Dorian Scale

The scale structure of the Dorian Scale is always 1-2-b3-4-5-6-b7-1, no matter what key you are in.
The Solfege syllables of the Dorian Scale are always Do-Re-Me-Fa-So-La-Te-Do, no matter what key you are in.
The only thing that changes when you change keys are the letter names.

Comparative Scale Study

Think of the Dorian Scale as the minor version of the Mixolydian Scale and the Mixolydian Scale as the major version of the Dorian Scale. Mi gives the Mixolydian Scale its major flavor, while Me gives the Dorian Scale its minor flavor.

Solfege Ear Training

Reading, playing, and singing the Solfege Syllables out loud is an extremely effective way to tune up your ears and to internalize the unique sound-feeling of each note in the scale with respect to the key center Do. Make sure to do this slowly enough for the unique sound-feeling of each Solfege Syllable to make a meaningful impression on your mind’s ear.

C Dorian Scale: Linear Ascending…

piano-ology-blues-school-c-dorian-scale-solfege-ear-training-linear-ascending

C Dorian Scale: Linear Descending…

piano-ology-blues-school-c-dorian-scale-solfege-ear-training-linear-descending

C Dorian Scale: Do-X-Do Ascending…

piano-ology-blues-school-c-dorian-scale-solfege-ear-training-do-x-do-ascending

C Dorian Scale: Do-X-Do Descending…

piano-ology-blues-school-c-dorian-scale-solfege-ear-training-do-x-do-descending

Note: While it’s possible to continue by singing a bunch of other musical patterns, the 80-20 Principle teaches us that a more efficient approach is to get your ear training material directly from the music that YOU want to play!