E Dorian scale

2 sharps: F♯ C♯ · pattern W–H–W–W–W–H–W

E – F♯ – G – A – B – C♯ – D

EGABDEF♯C♯
Step patternWHWWWHW

Chords in E Dorian

iEm
iiF♯m
IIIG
IVA
vBm
vi°C♯dim
VIID

Scale degrees

DegreeNoteNameHalf steps from E
1ETonic0
2F♯Supertonic2
3GMediant3
4ASubdominant5
5BDominant7
6C♯Submediant9
7DSubtonic10

About this scale

Dorian is natural minor with a raised 6th (C♯), which gives it a brighter, hopeful minor sound heard in funk, jazz and songs like “Scarborough Fair”. It’s the 2nd mode of C𝄪 major.

Seventh chords in E Dorian scale

i7 Em7ii7 F♯m7IIImaj7 Gmaj7IV7 A7v7 Bm7viø7 C♯m7♭5VIImaj7 Dmaj7

Other E scales

Dorian scale in other keys

Questions

What are the notes of the E Dorian scale?

E, F♯, G, A, B, C♯, D, and back to E.

How many sharps or flats are in E Dorian scale?

2: F♯, C♯.

What is the step pattern of the Dorian scale?

W–H–W–W–W–H–W, where W is a whole step (two keys) and H is a half step (the next key). Start that pattern on E to get this scale.