Dorian FunkChord progression · i – ♭III – ♭VII – IV
Funky dorian minor — bIII and bVII set up a major IV landing.
In A Dorian
Why the Dorian Funk progression works
Three major chords (bIII, bVII, IV) stacked over a minor root. The IV is dorian's bright note, so the line lands on it as the lift of the groove.
Heard in: DiscoFunkSoulR&B and neo-soulModal jazz
How to play Dorian Funk in A Dorian
One voicing per chord, each the nearest to the chord before, so your hand stays in one spot. Open any chord in the chord library for every other way to play it.
Dorian Funk chords in all 12 keys
The same numerals in every key. Each chord opens in the chord library, and each key plays in the progression builder.
What scale to play over Dorian Funk
Over the whole progression in A Dorian: A Dorian, A Minor pentatonic. To follow every chord, switch to the scale the progression builder picks for it.
| Chord | Scale over it |
|---|---|
| i · Am | A Dorian |
| ♭III · C | C Lydian |
| ♭VII · G | G Major |
| IV · D | D Mixolydian |
Dorian Funk questions
What are the chords of the Dorian Funk progression?
i – ♭III – ♭VII – IV. In A Dorian that is Am, C, G, D; in E Dorian it is Em, G, D, A.
What scale do you play over the Dorian Funk progression?
A Dorian and A Minor pentatonic fit the whole progression in A Dorian. Chord by chord: A Dorian over Am, C Lydian over C, G Major over G, D Mixolydian over D.
How do you play the Dorian Funk progression in another key?
Keep the numerals and move every chord by the same distance. The table on this page spells it in all 12 keys, and each key opens in the progression builder.