The Dorian mode begins on the 2nd degree of a Major scale, so in the case of the  Dorian on 'D' the 'source scale is C major. Still using C major as the 'source' we introduce the 'Aeolian' mode which conveniently begins on 'A' (Dorian (D) Aeolian (A) easy innit) Notice where the semitones fall.

 Listen to the Aeolian mode on 'A' The Aeolian is also called the 'natural' minor because it does not require accidentals (it is 'as the key signature')The Aeolian sounds like a minor scale but differs from the harmonic version in that interval 6-7 is 'smoothed' out by becoming a 'tone' (whole-step) and the final interval is also a tone (so the 'finished' effect is removed) So it sounds like a normal minor until the final stages. Remember how the 2nd half of the melodic minor suddenly sounds like a major scale (ascending)



Listen to the Aeolian mode on 'A' Try singing the scales



If you can sing a major scale but have problems with the Dorian mode, then imagine you are about to sing the first note of the major (say C) and then start on the second note (D) (after singing C mentally). Sing the C major scale as normal (minus the first note of course) but instead of stopping at the octave C, carry on and sing the next D. Practise over and over until you are familiar with the Dorian mode without the preliminaries.


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