C Dorian Mode
Notes in the C Dorian Mode
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | C | 261.626 Hz |
| 2 | Supertonic | D | 293.665 Hz |
| ♭3 | Minor Mediant | D# | 311.127 Hz |
| 4 | Subdominant | F | 349.228 Hz |
| 5 | Dominant | G | 391.995 Hz |
| 6 | Major Submediant | A | 440.000 Hz |
| ♭7 | Subtonic | A# | 466.164 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | C | D |
| 2 | Half Step (H) | 1 | D | D# |
| 3 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | D# | F |
| 4 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | F | G |
| 5 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | G | A |
| 6 | Half Step (H) | 1 | A | A# |
| 7 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | A# | C |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | C minor | minor |
| 2 | D | D minor | minor |
| ♭3 | D# | D# | major |
| 4 | F | F | major |
| 5 | G | G minor | minor |
| 6 | A | A diminished | diminished |
| ♭7 | A# | A# | major |
Key Signature
No sharps or flats — C Dorian Mode uses the same key signature as C major.
C Dorian Mode in Practice
The C Dorian Mode uses the key signature of no sharps or flats. C major is the simplest key signature with no sharps or flats. It is the starting point for music theory and the most widely studied key in Western music. On guitar, C 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.
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 261.626 Hz | 260.740 Hz | 261.626 Hz |
| D | 293.665 Hz | 293.332 Hz | 294.329 Hz |
| D# | 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 |
| A | 440.000 Hz | 440.000 Hz | 436.043 Hz |
| A# | 466.164 Hz | 463.538 Hz | 470.926 Hz |
Related Scales
Guitar: C Dorian Mode Positions
The C key offers open-string resonance (no sharps or flats) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like C are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.
Piano: C Dorian Mode
C major is the foundational key for piano study — all white keys, no black keys in the major scale. Every piano method book begins here. The Dorian Mode in C remains the most-studied scale pattern for establishing keyboard geography and finger positioning.