Chord Scale Analysis of the Dorian Mode
The Dorian Mode is the only minor mode of the major scale that isn't of the tonic quality. You'll usually run into this mode in transit from a tonic mode to a dominant mode, which makes it subdominant. The Dorian mode takes a Minor seven chord, but it may also take a Minor Six, due to the natural six. It also, much like the Lydian mode, has no avoid notes. Just be sure to note that the six is used very rarely in chord construction due to the flat seven.
Analysis of D Dorian
D (root)
E (Major Ninth, or nine)
F (Minor third, or flat three)
G (Perfect Eleventh, or eleven)
A (Perfect fifth, or five)
B (Major Thirteenth, thirteen, Major sixth, or six)
C (Minor Seventh, or flat seven)
The Major Six
What makes the dorian mode so dorian is the
Major Six. In the
Phrygian,
Aeolian (
natural minor), and
Locrian modes, the six is minor, or flat. You can use this to you advantage while writing melodies and in the use of the
minor six chord, however, you must never, ever, never use it as thirteenth if you include the seventh in the voicing above it. Unless you really like the sound of ...(dramatic
chromatic music ensues)
THE DREADED FLAT NINE! As I've said before and I'll most likely say again, nothing can take a chord voicing from harmonious to ass-tastic faster then a
flat nine used in the wrong fashion. Also be sure to voice the nine higher then the third for the same reason.
11/22/2004: Updated the write up because I'm stupid. A thirteen over a minor seven is a Major Seventh, the minor seven over the thirteen is either a minor second (no no no) or a flat nine.