ArpeggiosEN

Scale quality

dorian ♭2

Dorian flat two is the second degree of melodic minor: the dorian shape with a flattened second and a natural sixth. The flat second adds a dark, phrygian-like edge, but the natural sixth keeps the scale from becoming purely Spanish, so the result is richer and more ambiguous than either parent. It is the scale of the sus♭9 chord and appears in modern jazz and film music over suspended harmonies that need tension without a clear direction. The natural sixth and flat second together are the signature. Listen for the flat second's bite against the open, raised sixth.

Formula
1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7
Notes
C♯ D E F♯ G♯ A♯ B
Family
Melodic minor modes

Notation in C♯

representative key
441♭2♭3456♭71

Fretboard — frets 0–12

C♯ dorian ♭2 — frets 0 to 12, 46 notes, roots in orange♭3456♭71♭2♭3♭71♭2♭3456♭756♭71♭2♭34♭2♭3456♭71♭26♭71♭2♭345♭3456♭71♭2♭30123456789101112
C♯ dorian ♭2 — frets 0 to 12, 46 notes, roots in orange♭3456♭71♭2♭3♭71♭2♭3456♭756♭71♭2♭34♭2♭3456♭71♭26♭71♭2♭345♭3456♭71♭2♭30123456789101112

All 17 keys

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Same family

How to practise this scale

  • Play the flat second against the natural sixth and hold both colours.
  • Compare it with dorian and isolate the lowered second.
  • Improvise over a sus♭9 chord and let the flat second bite.
  • Play the scale slowly, keeping the sixth bright and the second dark.