C Dorian ♭2 scale
The C Dorian ♭2 scale is made of the notes C, D♭, E♭, F, G, A, B♭. It has 7 notes; compared with the major scale its formula is 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7.
Modes of the melodic minor · 7 notes
- 1C
- ♭2D♭
- ♭3E♭
- 4F
- 5G
- 6A
- ♭7B♭
PatternH – W – W – W – W – H – W(W = whole step, H = half step)
The seven scales you get by starting from each degree of the melodic minor: the language of modern jazz, from the Lydian dominant to the altered scale. 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 second mode of the melodic minor: a Dorian scale with a minor 2nd, that is a Phrygian scale with a major 6th. It is used over the m7 chord or the sus4♭9 chord, for example over a pedal.
The C Dorian ♭2 scale is mode 2 of the B♭ melodic minor scale: the same notes, starting from degree 2. B♭ melodic 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 C Dorian ♭2 scale?
- The notes are C, D♭, E♭, F, G, A, B♭.
- What is the pattern of the C Dorian ♭2 scale?
- The sequence of steps is H – W – W – W – 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 C Dorian ♭2 scale a mode of?
- It is mode 2 of the B♭ melodic minor scale.
- Which chords is the C Dorian ♭2 scale used over?
- It is used over Cm7, Cm6: the chords on the tonic made of the notes of the scale.