Colour key
R234p567Each colour is a scale degree, counted from the key. A ♭ or ♯ note keeps its degree's colour: ♭3 is still amber.
D Dorian ♭2
♭2 together with a natural 6th. Dark yet smooth.
Where you hear it: Over m7(♭9) and sus♭9 chords.
Step pattern H – W – W – W – W – H – W
- Parent scale: C melodic minor (starts on its 2nd degree)
- Compared with D major: ♭2 E → E♭, ♭3 F♯ → F, ♭7 C♯ → C
- Compared with D natural minor: ♭2 E → E♭, ♯6 B♭ → B
D Dorian ♭2 on the guitar
Pick a position below to outline it on the neck.
in the minor pentatonic: playedother notes of Dorian ♭2: not playedPlay runs up the position from its lowest note and back down; Sample melody plays a short tune using only its notes. Tap a position's name to see it on the neck.
Modes with the same notes as D Dorian ♭2
Every chord in D Dorian ♭2
- Dm71/17easyopen
- E♭maj7♯51/10easyfret 11· shell
- F71/20easyfret 1· shell
- G71/20easyopen
- Am7♭51/15easyfret 5· shell
- Bm7♭51/12easyfret 2· shell
- Cm(maj7)1/6mediumfret 3
Each chord stacks every other note of the scale (root, 3rd, 5th, 7th). Tap a row to hear it.
Iconic progressions in D Dorian ♭2
A few well-known chord loops that bring out this scale’s sound. Play one through, or tap a chord to hear it.
i – ♭II+
A half step up to the augmented ♭II and back: Phrygian’s dark step with a natural 6th over it.
i – IV
A minor tonic and a dominant IV7. The IV7 carries the natural 6th, as in Dorian, but the ♭2 stays in the scale.
Sus and extension chords from each chord
From Dm you can go through the 2nd of the scale to sus2 and 9 chords, through the 4th to sus4 and 11, and so on. All seven chords of D Dorian ♭2.
Hover or focus a small bubble for what it is, click to keep the note open.
Hover a bubble to see it here; click to hear it and keep it.
Closest shape: leaves out a colour note.
Hover a bubble to see it here; click to hear it and keep it.
Hover a bubble to see it here; click to hear it and keep it.
Hover a bubble to see it here; click to hear it and keep it.
Hover a bubble to see it here; click to hear it and keep it.
Hover a bubble to see it here; click to hear it and keep it.
Hover a bubble to see it here; click to hear it and keep it.