Dorian mode

The Dorian mode is the second mode of the major scale.

Its scale degrees are: 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7 8
Its intervals are: W H W W W H W
It’s a “minor” mode.

Descriptors:

  • Minor but with a “lift”
  • Medieval
  • Storytelling

Notable chords: Im6, IV, IIm

Examples

In video game music:

  • Main Theme – Halo
  • Main Theme – Shovel Knight
  • Mute City – F-Zero (opening only)
  • Song of Storms – Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
  • Temple of Time – Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
  • Midna’s Lament – Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
  • Hyrule Field – Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

According to ScoreClub:

  • Scarborough Fair – Traditional
  • Eleanor Rigby – The Beatles
  • American Beauty, Thomas Newman
  • So What – Miles Davis
  • Fête (from Nocturnes)- Claude Debussy

Other: