Dorian GrooveChord progression · i – IV – ♭VII – i
Dorian color — the major IV is the giveaway that lifts the minor mood.
In A Dorian
Why the Dorian Groove progression works
Dorian is minor with a raised 6th. The major IV is the giveaway, a bright note in a minor key, so it grooves without turning sad.
Songs built on it, each in its own key:
- Oye Como Va
- Evil Ways
- Riders on the Storm
Heard in: Classic rockFunkR&B and neo-soulLo-fi hip-hopModal jazzFolk
How to play Dorian Groove 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 Groove 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 Groove
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 |
| IV · D | D Mixolydian |
| ♭VII · G | G Major |
Dorian Groove questions
What are the chords of the Dorian Groove progression?
i – IV – ♭VII – i. In A Dorian that is Am, D, G, Am; in E Dorian it is Em, A, D, Em.
Which songs use the Dorian Groove progression?
Oye Como Va, Evil Ways and Riders on the Storm, each in its own key.
What scale do you play over the Dorian Groove progression?
A Dorian and A Minor pentatonic fit the whole progression in A Dorian. Chord by chord: A Dorian over Am, D Mixolydian over D, G Major over G.
How do you play the Dorian Groove 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.