A♭ Dorian Scale (Ab)
The Ab Dorian scale contains Ab – Bb – Cb – Db – Eb – F – Gb. It uses 6 flats: Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb and Cb. It uses the same piano keys as G# Dorian, spelled G# – A# – B – C# – D# – E# – F# (6 sharps).
Ab Dorian scale chart
Sharps and flats
Ab Dorian has 6 flats: Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb and Cb. Its parent major scale is Gb major, which uses the same notes. See the chords in the key of F# major.
Scale degrees
| Degree | Note | Semitones from Ab |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ab | 0 |
| 2 | Bb | 2 |
| b3 | Cb | 3 |
| 4 | Db | 5 |
| 5 | Eb | 7 |
| 6 | F | 9 |
| b7 | Gb | 10 |
Step pattern
The Dorian scale is built from the pattern W – H – W – W – W – H – W (W = whole step, H = half step). Apply that pattern from any starting note and you get the same mode in a different key.
Chords in Ab Dorian
Building a triad on each degree of the scale gives you the chords that belong to it. These are the chords to reach for when writing in Ab Dorian.
| Degree | Numeral | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | i | Abm | Ab Cb Eb |
| 2 | ii | Bbm | Bb Db F |
| 3 | III | Cb | Cb Eb Gb |
| 4 | IV | Db | Db F Ab |
| 5 | v | Ebm | Eb Gb Bb |
| 6 | vi° | Fdim | F Ab Cb |
| 7 | VII | Gb | Gb Bb Db |
Other modes on Ab
More scales on Ab
Dorian scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the Ab Dorian scale?
The Ab Dorian scale contains Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, F, Gb, then returns to Ab an octave higher.
How many flats are in Ab Dorian?
Ab Dorian has 6 flats: Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb and Cb.
What is the step pattern of the Dorian scale?
The Dorian scale follows the whole/half step pattern W – H – W – W – W – H – W, where W is a whole step (two semitones) and H is a half step (one semitone).
Which chords work with the Ab Dorian scale?
The diatonic chords are Abm, Bbm, Cb, Db, Ebm, Fdim, Gb. Each is built only from notes of the Ab Dorian scale, so they all belong to the same tonality — though the diminished chord carries a tritone and normally wants to resolve.