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