C Dorian ♭5 scale
The C Dorian ♭5 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 harmonic major · 7 notes
- 1C
- 2D
- ♭3E♭
- 4F
- ♭5G♭
- 6A
- ♭7B♭
PatternW – H – W – H – W+H – H – W(W = whole step, H = half step)
The seven scales you get by starting from each degree of the harmonic major: less common colours, for half-diminished, diminished and 7♭9 dominant chords. 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 harmonic major: a Dorian scale with a diminished 5th. It is used over the half-diminished chord (m7♭5) when the major 6th is wanted.
The C Dorian ♭5 scale is mode 2 of the B♭ harmonic major scale: the same notes, starting from degree 2. B♭ harmonic major 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 ♭5 scale?
- The notes are C, D, E♭, F, G♭, A, B♭.
- What is the pattern of the C Dorian ♭5 scale?
- The sequence of steps is W – H – W – H – W+H – 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 ♭5 scale a mode of?
- It is mode 2 of the B♭ harmonic major scale.
- Which chords is the C Dorian ♭5 scale used over?
- It is used over Cm7♭5, Cdim7: the chords on the tonic made of the notes of the scale.