A♭ Dorian ♯4 scale
The A♭ Dorian ♯4 scale is made of the notes A♭, B♭, C♭, D, E♭, F, G♭. It has 7 notes; compared with the major scale its formula is 1 2 ♭3 ♯4 5 6 ♭7.
Modes of the harmonic minor · 7 notes
- 1A♭
- 2B♭
- ♭3C♭
- ♯4D
- 5E♭
- 6F
- ♭7G♭
PatternW – H – W+H – H – W – H – W(W = whole step, H = half step)
The seven scales you get by starting from each degree of the harmonic minor: they fit the chords of minor cadences. Degrees are shown relative to the major scale: ♭3 is the third lowered by a half step, ♯4 the fourth raised.
Mode and chords
The fourth mode of the harmonic minor: a Dorian scale with an augmented 4th. It has a restless colour, common in Eastern European music and klezmer.
The A♭ Dorian ♯4 scale is mode 4 of the E♭ harmonic minor scale: the same notes, starting from degree 4. E♭ harmonic minor scale →
Put it into practice
The scale played in thirds over one octave: one of the exercises MEG generates from this scale.
This scale is not part of the demo: in the MEG app you will find it in every key, with 24 patterns.
Chords built on the scale
Frequently asked questions
- What are the notes of the A♭ Dorian ♯4 scale?
- The notes are A♭, B♭, C♭, D, E♭, F, G♭.
- What is the pattern of the A♭ Dorian ♯4 scale?
- The sequence of steps is W – H – W+H – H – W – H – W (W = whole step, H = half step); compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 2 ♭3 ♯4 5 6 ♭7.
- Which scale is the A♭ Dorian ♯4 scale a mode of?
- It is mode 4 of the E♭ harmonic minor scale.
- Which chords is the A♭ Dorian ♯4 scale used over?
- It is used over A♭m7, A♭m7♭5, A♭dim7, A♭m6: the chords on the tonic made of the notes of the scale.