B Dorian Mode

Notes in the B Dorian Mode

Interval Pattern

Chords Built on Scale Degrees

Key Signature

5 ♯ — The B key signature uses F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯.

B Dorian Mode in Practice

The B Dorian Mode uses the key signature of 5 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯). B major has five sharps and a bright, somewhat tense quality. Enharmonically equivalent to Cb major, it is used in orchestral writing and some jazz compositions. On guitar, B positions offer open-string resonance for fingering positions for this scale.

The Dorian mode is a minor scale with a raised 6th degree, giving it a slightly brighter quality than natural minor. It is the characteristic sound of jazz and Celtic music. When played starting on B, the 7 notes are B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯, A. In this key the signature has 5 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯). B sits at the boundary of comfortable sharp keys with 5 sharps, often used in orchestral writing for brilliance and in jazz for challenging ii-V-I exercises. Guitarists can play in B using barre chords at the second and seventh frets, and the key is common in pop and R&B music when vocalists prefer its tessitura.

Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments

Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.

Related Scales

Guitar: B Dorian Mode Positions

The B key offers 5 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like B are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.