Dorian Mode in all 12 Keysby Piano Theory

In this lesson, we’re going to learn how to play the Dorian mode in all 12 keys. The Dorian mode belongs to the set of scales called the Major Modes. The Major Modes consist of seven scales derived from and using the same notes as one parent Major scale, but starting and ending on each of the different degrees of that parent scale. Dorian is the 2nd Mode of the Major scale, so it starts and ends on the second degree of its parent scale. Dorian is a great mode to use over minor seventh and minor sixth chords, as well as the beginning of Major ii­-V­I progressions. In fact, the Dorian actually shares more common tones with the parallel natural minor scale—same tonic—than with the parallel major scale. We’ll learn the right and left hand Dorian mode fingerings in all twelve keys.