The modes drawn out on paper 69 -
To start digesting the modes let’s examine the key of C major. Remembering the modal
sequence, Dorian is always the 2
nd
mode of any major key. In the key of C major if you start
the scale on the 2nd degree or 2nd note, you will start on a D note. Start on D and play the C
major scale util the next D note comes up. You are playing a C major scale from the D to the D
and voila’, you have D Dorian. All you are doing is playing that same C major scale, but
starting it on the 2
nd
note of the scale.
D Dorian is the second mode of C major and utilizes the exact same notes as C major but
starting from the second degree, the D note. Look at it drawn out:
C Major scale – C,D,E,F,G,A,B
D Dorian scale - D,E,F,G,A,B,C
Same exact notes, just different starting points. D Dorian is just a variation of C major. Play
both as listed above, first from the C to C and then from the D to D. They don’t sound the
same. The C major scale sounds happy and has that do, re, mi sound while the D Dorian has
a darker minor vibe to it. The Dorian has its own mood and sound quality that is different than
the major.
So to play in D Dorian you can play all the C major scales but start on and emphasize the D
notes, not the C notes. In D Dorian you want to establish the tonal center as D. By
emphasizing the D notes in a C major scale we arrive at a new scale sound that sounds
different than C major because our ear hears the resolution to D. It sounds more minor
because the Dorian mode has a b3rd and b7th.
Dorian is considered more of a minor mode. In the table below note that D Dorian has no
sharps or flats, same as C major. Dorian is the 2nd mode in any major key, so taking any major
scale and starting on the 2nd note of that parent major scale gives us the Dorian mode.
Scale degrees 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
C major scale C D E F G A B C D
2
nd
mode – D Dorian D E F G A B C DKEY POINT: taking any major scale and starting on the 2
nd
note of that
parent major scale gives us the Dorian Mode.