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