B Dorian Scale
The B Dorian scale contains B – C# – D – E – F# – G# – A. It uses 3 sharps: F#, C# and G#.
B Dorian scale chart
Sharps and flats
B Dorian has 3 sharps: F#, C# and G#. Its parent major scale is A major, which uses the same notes. See the chords in the key of A major.
Scale degrees
| Degree | Note | Semitones from B |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | 0 |
| 2 | C# | 2 |
| b3 | D | 3 |
| 4 | E | 5 |
| 5 | F# | 7 |
| 6 | G# | 9 |
| b7 | A | 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 B 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 B Dorian.
| Degree | Numeral | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | i | Bm | B D F# |
| 2 | ii | C#m | C# E G# |
| 3 | III | D | D F# A |
| 4 | IV | E | E G# B |
| 5 | v | F#m | F# A C# |
| 6 | vi° | G#dim | G# B D |
| 7 | VII | A | A C# E |
Other modes on B
More scales on B
Dorian scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the B Dorian scale?
The B Dorian scale contains B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, A, then returns to B an octave higher.
How many sharps are in B Dorian?
B Dorian has 3 sharps: F#, C# and G#.
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 B Dorian scale?
The diatonic chords are Bm, C#m, D, E, F#m, G#dim, A. Each is built only from notes of the B Dorian scale, so they all belong to the same tonality — though the diminished chord carries a tritone and normally wants to resolve.