The Dorian Scale has a primitive, minor, sometimes jazzy quality that is widely used in pop, rock, folk, and modal jazz…
C Dorian Scale Theory…
- 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. Mi gives the Mixolydian Scale a major flavor, while Me gives the Dorian Scale a 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…
C Dorian Scale: Linear Descending…
C Dorian Scale: Do-X-Do Ascending…
C Dorian Scale: 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!