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