Hypodorian
Hypodorian is the plagal form of the Dorian mode and counts as the second church mode. The scale consists of the same notes as Dorian, but the range lies a fourth lower. The finalis, the closing note, stays the same: D.
- Number
- 2nd church mode
- Finalis
- D
- Tenor (reciting note)
- F
- Range
- A3–A4
- Authentic form
- Dorian
Dorian, a fourth lower
The system of the eight church modes distinguishes authentic and plagal modes. Hypodorian belongs to the authentic Dorian, with which it shares the finalis D and the note collection, namely the white keys from D4 to D5. It differs in the ambitus, the range used. Dorian moves above the finalis, from D4 to D5, Hypodorian from the fourth below D, so A3, to the fifth above, A4.
Hypodorian (range A3–A4)
The finalis D lies in the middle, the tenor F is marked too. The range reaches from a fourth below D to the fifth above.
For comparison: Dorian (range D4–D5)
The same white keys, but upwards: finalis D at the bottom, tenor A (marked). The note collection is the same as in Hypodorian, but the centre of gravity of the melody lies higher.
In the glossary: Plagal mode · Finalis · Ambitus
How to recognise it
Both forms have the same key signature (none) and the same closing note D; in the notation only the range of the Hypodorian lies lower. The difference is the centre of gravity of the melody. Hypodorian circles around the tenor F, Dorian around A; the melody lies lower here. A melody that rises from D and lingers on A is Dorian; one that moves between A3 and A4 around D and often lingers on F is Hypodorian.
There is a danger of confusion above all between the plagal forms of neighbouring modes. Hypodorian has the finalis D, Hypophrygian the finalis E, with the same note collection of the white keys.
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Related terms
Plagal modeDorianChurch modeHypophrygianFinalisAmbitusRepercussa
Editor: Maik Krohm · reviewed on 3 October 2026
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