The Dorian ♭2 mode (Dorian flat 2) is also known as the Phrygian ♮6 (Phrygian natural 6) or Phrygian 6 (occasionally even referred to as the Phrygian ♯6), and it is the 2nd mode of the melodic minor scale.
The interval formula is 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7.
The Dorian flat 2 mode is like the Dorian mode, but with a flattened 2nd degree, hence the name. Or it is like the Phrygian mode but with a major 6th degree. The name Phrygian ♮6 refers to the fact that the 6th degree of the scale is an interval of a major 6th above the root, but not necessarily a natural. E.g. in A Phrygian ♮6, the 6th degree is F♯ — the F♯ is an interval of a major 6th above the root A, but it isn’t a natural.
The sound of the Dorian ♭2 mode or Phrygian ♮6 can be dark and exotic due to the flattened 2nd degree and minor sound, combined with a mysterious or jazzy lift from the major 6th, depending on how it is used. To me, this mode can sound haunting, unsettled, sometimes enigmatic. It’s that asynchronous, dual quality due to the dark flattened 2nd and lifted major 6th.
In jazz improvisation this mode is often used to add tension in static vamps or chord-scale pairings. A lot of improvisers use modes for atmospheric washes of colour within a static vamp (i.e. staying on one mode for an extended period), and the unusual and modern sound of the Dorian ♭2 mode can be used to great effect in this way. In my own improvisations, instead of static vamps, I tend to use harmonic progressions within modes in a similar way to Renaissance, Romantic and Impressionistic composers; often modulating from one mode to another to create a different colour for a change of mood or emotion. The Dorian ♭2 mode is one of the modes I have used in this way, and you can find examples below, as well as read more about how I improvise with modes here: What I Mean by “Modal Improvisation” – Harmonic Movement Within the Modes
All 12 Dorian ♭2 (Phrygian ♮6) modes
Below is the full set of the notes for all 12 Dorian ♭2 (Phrygian ♮6) modes, with parent melodic minor scales.
| Dorian ♭2 tonic | Notes | Parent melodic minor |
|---|---|---|
| C Dorian ♭2 | C D♭ E♭ F G A B♭ | B♭ melodic minor |
| C♯ Dorian ♭2 | C♯ D E F♯ G♯ A♯ B | B melodic minor |
| D Dorian ♭2 | D E♭ F G A B C | C melodic minor |
| D♯ Dorian ♭2 | D♯ E F♯ G♯ A♯ B♯ C♯ | C♯ melodic minor |
| E Dorian ♭2 | E F G A B C♯ D | D melodic minor |
| F Dorian ♭2 | F G♭ A♭ B♭ C D E♭ | E♭ melodic minor |
| F♯ Dorian ♭2 | F♯ G A B C♯ D♯ E | E melodic minor |
| G Dorian ♭2 | G A♭ B♭ C D E F | F melodic minor |
| G♯ Dorian ♭2 | G♯ A B C♯ D♯ E♯ F♯ | F♯ melodic minor |
| A Dorian ♭2 | A B♭ C D E F♯ G | G melodic minor |
| A♯ Dorian ♭2 | A♯ B C♯ D♯ E♯ F𝄪 G♯ | G♯ melodic minor |
| B Dorian ♭2 | B C D E F♯ G♯ A | A melodic minor |
I have written the usual enharmonic spelling for each melodic minor scale, and the corresponding enharmonic spellings for the associated Dorian flat 2 mode. E.g. G♯ melodic minor is the more usual enharmonic spelling — it is less common to call it A♭ melodic minor; and so the corresponding Dorian flat 2 mode is written as A♯ Dorian ♭2 instead of B♭ Dorian ♭2.
Examples of my own improvisations using the Dorian ♭2 mode:
More Dorian ♭2 mode improvisations
To learn more about modes in general, read my guide here: Complete Guide to Modes of the Major, Melodic Minor, and Harmonic Minor Scales
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