Position 2 of 7 · Dorian Mode · Key of A♭

A♭ Dorian Mode

Minor with raised 6th

The A♭ Dorian is the 2nd mode of the Ab Major scale. It has a minor but hopeful, jazzy, soulful, funky character. On guitar it appears at Position 2 in the fretboard pattern — root note Ab.

Notes in the A♭ Dorian

Ab · Bb · B · Db · Eb · F · Gb

Step Formula

W = Whole step (2 frets) · H = Half step (1 fret)

W H W W W H W

Intervals

1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7

Sound CharacterMinor but hopeful, jazzy, soulful, funky

Parent Major ScaleAb Major — A♭ Dorian shares the same notes as Ab Major but starts on Ab

Best Used InJazz, Blues, Funk, Rock, Fusion

Famous ExamplesSo What (Miles Davis), Oye Como Va (Santana), Smoke on the Water

Key insight: The natural 6th is what separates Dorian from natural minor. That one note creates the warm, jazzy quality.

The 5 Missing Notes™ — Beyond A♭ Dorian

The A♭ Dorian is one of 7 diatonic modes in the Dead Sea Scales system. Using the 5 Missing Notes™ framework, each mode generates 7 extended variations — giving you access to all 42 total modes in any key including A♭.

Same Mode, Every Key

The Dorian pattern is identical in every key — the formula never changes. Explore the same mode in other keys:

Hear the A♭ Dorian on a live fretboard

Select key A♭ · Mode Dorian · Play notes with audio · See all 42 exotic variations

Open Free Interactive Tool →

A♭ Dorian Mode

Notes in the A♭ Dorian

Step Formula

Intervals

The 5 Missing Notes™ — Beyond A♭ Dorian

Same Mode, Every Key

Hear the A♭ Dorian on a live fretboard

DEEP DIVES