Natural Minor (Aeolian) vs Dorian
The C natural minor (aeolian) and the C dorian share 6 notes — C, D, Eb, F, G, Bb. From there, the C natural minor (aeolian) adds Ab, while the C dorian adds A.
Piano, C3 to C5. Notes in this scale, low to high: C3 (root of C Natural Minor (Aeolian) and root of C Dorian), D3 (2 of C Natural Minor (Aeolian) and 2 of C Dorian), Eb3 (flat 3 of C Natural Minor (Aeolian) and flat 3 of C Dorian), F3 (4 of C Natural Minor (Aeolian) and 4 of C Dorian), G3 (5 of C Natural Minor (Aeolian) and 5 of C Dorian), Ab3 (flat 6), A3 (6), Bb3 (flat 7 of C Natural Minor (Aeolian) and flat 7 of C Dorian), C4 (root of C Natural Minor (Aeolian) and root of C Dorian), D4 (2 of C Natural Minor (Aeolian) and 2 of C Dorian), Eb4 (flat 3 of C Natural Minor (Aeolian) and flat 3 of C Dorian), F4 (4 of C Natural Minor (Aeolian) and 4 of C Dorian), G4 (5 of C Natural Minor (Aeolian) and 5 of C Dorian), Ab4 (flat 6), A4 (6), Bb4 (flat 7 of C Natural Minor (Aeolian) and flat 7 of C Dorian), C5 (root of C Natural Minor (Aeolian) and root of C Dorian).
Both scales above are drawn on one piano keyboard in the key of C. Notes belonging to both are drawn as a split two-color dot, so the notes they share and the notes unique to each are visible in one picture.
How the formulas differ
Scale degrees are the key-independent way to compare two scales — these stay the same in every key, and they are what actually distinguishes one scale from another.
| Scale | Degrees |
|---|---|
| Natural Minor (Aeolian) | R · 2 · b3 · 4 · 5 · b6 · b7 |
| Dorian | R · 2 · b3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · b7 |
Notes in common
| Note | In Natural Minor (Aeolian) | In Dorian |
|---|---|---|
| C | R | R |
| D | 2 | 2 |
| Eb | b3 | b3 |
| F | 4 | 4 |
| G | 5 | 5 |
| Bb | b7 | b7 |
Notes that differ
- Only in the natural minor (aeolian): Ab (b6)
- Only in the dorian: A (6)