Bb Dorian Mode
Notes in the Bb Dorian Mode
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | Bb | 466.164 Hz |
| 2 | Supertonic | C | 261.626 Hz |
| ♭3 | Minor Mediant | Db | 277.183 Hz |
| 4 | Subdominant | Eb | 311.127 Hz |
| 5 | Dominant | F | 349.228 Hz |
| 6 | Major Submediant | G | 391.995 Hz |
| ♭7 | Subtonic | Ab | 415.305 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | Bb | C |
| 2 | Half Step (H) | 1 | C | Db |
| 3 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | Db | Eb |
| 4 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | Eb | F |
| 5 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | F | G |
| 6 | Half Step (H) | 1 | G | Ab |
| 7 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | Ab | Bb |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bb | Bb minor | minor |
| 2 | C | C minor | minor |
| ♭3 | Db | Db | major |
| 4 | Eb | Eb | major |
| 5 | F | F minor | minor |
| 6 | G | G diminished | diminished |
| ♭7 | Ab | Ab | major |
Key Signature
2 ♭ — The Bb key signature uses Bb, Eb.
Bb Dorian Mode in Practice
The Bb Dorian Mode uses the key signature of 2 flats (Bb, Eb). Bb major has two flats (Bb, Eb) and is extremely common in jazz and wind ensemble music. It is the home key for Bb instruments such as the trumpet and tenor saxophone. On guitar, Bb positions offer comfortable transposing instrument keys 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.
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bb | 466.164 Hz | 463.538 Hz | 470.926 Hz |
| C | 261.626 Hz | 260.740 Hz | 261.626 Hz |
| Db | 277.183 Hz | 278.437 Hz | 279.067 Hz |
| Eb | 311.127 Hz | 309.026 Hz | 313.951 Hz |
| F | 349.228 Hz | 347.654 Hz | 348.834 Hz |
| G | 391.995 Hz | 391.111 Hz | 392.438 Hz |
| Ab | 415.305 Hz | 417.657 Hz | 418.601 Hz |
Related Scales
Transposing Instruments: Bb Dorian Mode
Bb is a natural key for B♭ instruments (trumpet, clarinet, tenor sax), which sound a major second lower than written. B♭ instruments reading in C produce Bb concert pitch. E♭ instruments (alto sax, baritone sax) reading in Bb sound a major sixth lower.