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Dorian Chord Progression: Why It Doesn't Work

Here are the main problems with Dorian circular harmonic scales:

  • The dominant 7th chord, A7, has a non-modal note, C♯, which removes the “Dorian” sound of the mode. But if you replace C♯ with C or D, you lose the tritone. You also lose the leading tone and the power to establish tonality.
  • The tonic chord of the “B” relative key is the rootless diminished chord (Bº).
  • The subdominant of the “F” relative key is the rootless diminished chord.
  • In both of the possible relative keys, there is a six-semitone span between the roots of two of the chords.

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