Dorian

The one note

Dorian is minor with a raised sixth degree. In D Dorian that is a B instead of B♭. It sounds less dark than natural minor, rather serious and floating. The mode lacks the goal-directedness of major because it has no leading tone, and the darkness of natural minor because its sixth is bright. For listening it is worth hunting for exactly this note: does it sound like minor, but the sixth is bright? Dorian.

Examples

The English folk song “Scarborough Fair” is the standard example: in minor, but with a bright sixth, so that the melody floats instead of mourning. Many Irish tunes are also Dorian. More examples are given in the article The modes through familiar pieces.

Playing Dorian

The most effective exercise is a single note as a drone: a held D, with the white keys from D to D. The drone nails down the centre. If you play the white keys over a D drone but end the phrases on C, you have C major again. For the guitar an open D string pedal with Dorian melody notes above it suggests itself. It is important not to avoid the characteristic degree: a Dorian piece without the raised sixth is simply minor.

Common mistakes

• Practising Dorian as major from the second degree: That leads you to keep thinking in major.
• Avoiding the raised sixth: It is the whole difference.
• Losing the reference note: Without a drone or clear phrasing, Dorian tips into major or minor.