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