The staff shows the 8 notes of a Dorian scale, and your task is to recognize which one it is. On easy you choose from 4 options; on hard you first pick the root note and then its accidental.
Tip: Dorian is a minor mode with a major 6th: the 6th degree is raised by a half step compared with the natural minor scale. That is what separates it from the natural minor and the harmonic minor scales.
What is the Dorian scale?
The Dorian scale is the natural minor scale with the 6th degree raised by a half step. Its pattern of whole steps (UK: tones) and half steps (UK: semitones) is W-H-W-W-W-H-W. It keeps the minor character (minor 3rd) but its major 6th gives it a more open color, common in folk, modal jazz and Celtic music.
Example: D Dorian
Start from D natural minor (D-E-F-G-A-B♭-C) and raise the 6th degree (B♭ becomes B♮): D-E-F-G-A-B-C-D. It uses the key signature of D minor (one flat), and the 6th is raised with a natural sign.
The key signature of Dorian
A Dorian scale uses the key signature of the minor scale on the same tonic. The raised 6th is not in the key signature: it is written as an accidental, a natural sign if the key signature lowered that note, or a sharp if it did not alter it.
To lock these scales into your fingers, practice them with the online metronome at 60-70% of your target tempo. The online tuner lets you check your tuning first. You can also build it note by note.
Printable worksheet (PDF)
The same exercise on paper, for class: eight Dorian scales written on one side of an A4 sheet, half with a key signature and half with the accidentals before each note. The name of each scale is written below it. With a separate answer sheet, with the answers in red.
It goes from easier to harder: first key signatures with few accidentals in treble clef, then more accidentals and the bass clef.
Download the worksheet (PDF A4) Answers
You may print and photocopy the worksheets freely for the classroom. There are also worksheets of this same type for writing and writing with a key signature, and in the scales index you can create custom worksheets, mixing whichever types you like.