The DORIAN Mode Feels MYSTERIOUS (among other things)

[@Cyred_Akaao]

Fun fact about Dorian: it is the only mode in the 7 major scale based modes that remains as itself when you invert every note against the tonic. This means that if you perform a melodic inversion on a melody in Dorian, all the notes diatonic to Dorian will remain diatonic to Dorian, and all the nondiatonic notes exhibit similar behavior. It's such a cool property of the scale that sets it apart from the rest! Other scales outside of the Major scale based modes with similar behavior include the Chromatic, Whole Tone, Double Harmonic, and Neapolitan Major scales, among others.

[@MusicJokeHere]

Aha! My name is Dorian and I went to college for music because that’s what you get when you name your daughter Dorian. Anyway I have been waiting for this episode and my assigned adjective!

[@nicreven]

I feel like you could be really cringe (in a dad joke way) and make jokes with like... "stay sharp" and "watch your 6" get it? cause... the sharp 6

[@peperoni_pepino]

Haha, now that I think about it Dorian and Lydia(n) can be nice names, but Mixolydian, Phrygian and Locrian are perhaps better not used.

[@flabort]

​@@peperoni_pepinoLoki for Locrian?

[@MusicJokeHere]

@@nicreven Lol my old Saxophone teacher used to say that to me!! My Junior year of high school the Music Theory class made up a song in the Dorian Mode and whenever they saw me they would sing "Hello, Dorian. How are you doing today?" I used to introduce myself in college by saying "I am Dorian, holder of convenient names." Point being that I have embraced that I am a walking dad joke.

[@MusicJokeHere]

@@peperoni_pepino I used to say that if I ever had kids I would name them after the rest of the modes and they'd have to have nicknames because who wants to be called Phrygian? lol

[@halfsteps5744]

I’ll never forget learning song of storms on piano, getting extremely confused on why the chords didn’t fit into a major or minor scale, and then discovering how modes worked.

[@seth1482]

I had this exact experience two days ago. I knew what modes were, but I never learned to use them and I never wanted to. Song of Storms somehow changed that.

[@Link-ji7kx]

Sometimes I feel I understand modes and it’s all super simple but sometimes it still confuses me 😂 Like Midna’s Lament. D Dorian. Instead of it being written as Dm, with a raised 6th, why not just notate it as C Major? Because that’s really the key you’re playing in. Is it because you’re starting on that Dm chord I guess?

[@gamerzss]

I feel like I cracked the code when I discovered that modes are just playing in another keys scale while staying in your key, like C Lydian is just G major scale played over C

[@singsongdan249]

Ocarinas combo of mixolydian and dorian to soundtrack youthful optimism turning to subtle dread is 👌

[@TheGrammarPolice7]

*Ocarina's

[@vannillaAJofficial204]

​@@TheGrammarPolice7 does it really matter tho

[@FknAzzMuncher]

@@TheGrammarPolice7Is this literally what you do with your time? lol

[@CpLKaNeZA]

Never Forget is by far my favorite of all the compositions in the Halo universe, I remember just sitting on the menu screen for hours, listening. So beautiful.

[@ZTimeGamingYT]

When both Joker and Link are in a musical thumbnail, you know you're in for a cool yet mysterious analysis.

[@skeleton608]

Or it’s a Smash Ultimate Video XD

[@argentumlillium3044]

​@@skeleton608 RIP Master Chief

[@ZTimeGamingYT]

@@argentumlillium3044 His demotion to a Mii Costume led to one of the most presumably impossible inclusions in the series.

[@therexyogaming]

Or it's about Jazz

[@CutthroatCuriosity]

bro did not have a childhood if he doesnt acknowledge the master chief.

[@BrandonMcBarrettFace]

I somehow had forgotten how beautiful Midna's Lament is.

[@Gabo2oo]

I somehow never realized the three iconic notes were taken from A Link to the Past's Dark World theme (9:54). Man it's crazy how influential that OST is.

[@im_Spade_]

@@Gabo2oo 😵

[@BorisBidjanSaberi11]

My favorite song to play on piano when I want to feel sad

[@nillynush4899]

Don't forget next time.

[@HGmolotov]

fun fact: we had a cat called dorian! granted, he wasnt named after the scale, but during the short time that i had guitar lessons he would just sit and watch us, and my tutor found the name amusing

[@mcphersonsound]

so did I, though my cat was named after the book

[@WadWizard]

was the cat grey

[@r0bz0rly]

cool story bro

[@HGmolotov]

@@WadWizard grey and white, but yes that's why we named him

[@bottlemanic]

That's because he was named Dorian after Lee Dorian from napalm death right?

[@59hawks]

Halo's Never forget never fails to make me tear up. It has always been one of my favorite peices of music. and the emotional charge it gives me is great.

[@nthgth]

Oh man, I used to leave the Halo 2 main menu up all the time for the music. All the pieces it cycled through are just amazing.

[@ilaytsa2685]

Dorian mode is soooo fun. It has the kind of darkness of minor but the coolness of mixolydian ahhh i love it

[@OhNoTheFace]

Midna's Lament still gets me, man. It's so desperate, at a time where you do feel there is no chance she will be ok. Thank you for the insight

[@-emir5484]

Fun fact the official title of the song is Midna's Desperate Hour so your description is right on the mark :D

[@YounesLayachi]

@@-emir5484 SMH "translations" always ruin the original meaning and make it less accurate

[@nthgth]

​@@YounesLayachiyeah "Lament" really isn't appropriate for the situation. Like,.. yeah, she probably laments that she's in critical condition, but that's hardly the crux of the situation

[@milozimben]

@@nthgth I always interpreted the title as more like "Lament for Midna", rather than her being the one lamenting

[@schmidtyyy2026]

Hearing Marshmallow Castle for the first time in a while was like unlocking a core memory. Wow.

[@musico4609]

Perfect timing! I was literally thinking about the Dorian scale cause of my jazz class!

[@DuskWolf224]

I really enjoyed the video! The Dark World theme from Alttp and Midna's Lament from TP are some of my personnal favorite themes in video game history, so it's fun to get a glimpse into how they use the dorian mode differently!

[@nillynush4899]

TP heavily inspired by LttP. Notice both games have a massive dark pyramid in them, one a physical location, the other a massive spell.

[@Gold---Mole]

Was literally funk guitar jamming over a im7-IV7 vamp when I saw this video, and watching it saved from doing that until I passed out 🎸😂

[@nikkothegoblin]

You, David Bennet piano, and my partner have been incredibly helpful for learning western classical music theory. It's really helped with my musical experimentation and learning new instruments

[@pAWNproductionsDE]

I've been waiting for this episode! Dorian is easily my favorite mode. Not to mention, if you combine Dorian with notes from the b5 and #7 from the blues scale, you get the coolest melody scale on the planet (look up "Virtua Cop - Gang Headquarters" for an example)

[@Mattieval]

Another great example of dorian is Bonds of Sea and Fire from Xenogears, it has that Wicked Games chord progression of i - bVII - IV. Final Fantasy IV Main Theme also plays with the major IV to bVI. It then does some even more interesting stuff harmonically (there's a transcription on my channel).

[@vgmkas]

That part of the FFIV main theme right after the intro arpeggios will always be one of my favorite Dorian examples!

[@owlyus]

I always think of Dorian as the Dark Side of the Moon mode. That's awesome that it's so versatile!

[@somebonehead]

Waluigi Pinball is my favorite Dorian mode tune. It's so upbeat and jovial, but with that melancholic touch of Dorian that you describe.

[@TheRealRidley12]

One thing's for sure, Twilight Princess has some really emotional music.

[@matthiasl.6551]

The track A Shine Upon Inkwater Marsh from Ori and the Will of the Wisp is another great example of a mysterious, but not too dark, melody in the Dorian mode. After the intro, the melody starts on the major IV chord, and stays in the upper part of the scale for quite a while (on f#, g#, a#, b - the main key is c# dorian) before dropping to the tonic c# with a minor I chord. In the game, you hear this track after quite a long gameplay section where the music was in c# minor, quite a somber and moody minor too (that track's name is Now Use The Light), and this emphasis on the major IV chord at the beginning of the melody sounded like such a ray of light the first time I heard it.

[@daltongrowley5280]

I love listening to videos about music theory, but not understanding music even slightly i find its just soothing to hear a professional talk about something they are passionate about and knowledgeable about.

[@AlexPies1]

man, i was HOPING you'd cover Dirtmouth. that's my personal favorite use of Dorian. i'd say i'm biased, as that's my favorite game of all time, but i noticed it even on my first playthrough. as the first area that you visit with music in it, it paints a nice desolate yet curious picture. you might say.. a picture of Dorian, but gray.

[@Brassydoots]

Great examples used here. Iconic themes for many different genres of games, which makes this video accessible for an even broader audience. Love the thinking behind this one, your uploads are always a bright spot in my day. 🎺

[@vgmkas]

Dorian is my favorite mode, and you showed some great ways to use it! I also love the i-ii for funk vibes (Sensei's theme from Advance Wars does this). Some other random examples of Dorian: Forest Maze (SMRPG) Devils Lab, Shadows Theme, Figaro Castle (FFVI) Victors Hollow (Octopath) Home Sweet Home (FFV)

[@Jhat]

never forget is one of my favorite video game songs of all time. Aside from the inherent emotion, the added nostalgia moves me so much.

[@wolftickets1969]

Another funky honorable mention can be heard in the B-section of the Double Dragon theme, with a D Dorian phrase preceding a Bb Lydian phrase, which in turn is followed by G Dorian. Ditto the A-section of the Double Dragon II theme. The glacier/desert stage theme in Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair(particularly the TurboGrafx-16 CD arrangement, which has a chord progression similar to the ALTTP Dark World theme), "Tower of the Shadow of Death" from Ys I & II, and Angel Island Act 2 (Act 1 is Mixolydian) and both Acts of Hydro City and Marble Garden from Sonic 3 also utilize the mode in this context. Additional mention goes to "Leap of Faith"(Areas 2, 9, and 11), the second half of "Rise of the Albatross"(Area 12) and "Albatross Battle" in Bionic Commando, the Top Man and Wily Castle Stages 1 & 2 themes from Mega Man 3, the ending of "River of Souls" from Turok 2, contrasting with the dark Phrygian mode of the rest of the piece, "The Depth Napishtim"(final boss second phase, a polar opposite to the atonal and amodal "Black Ark Unveiled" from the first phase) from Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim, "Up The Spirit Caverns Walls"(touches on Mixolydian for a couple phrases), "Riding The Wind", and "Completing The Circle" from Ori and the Blind Forest, "Greenpath"(a brighter arrangement of the already mentioned Dirtmouth theme) and "Queens Gardens" also from Hollow Knight, and "A Shine upon Inkwater Marsh"(cueing the sun after the Aeolian-moded "Separated By The Storm"), "Overlooking The Mill"(a further elaboration on the preceding Inkwater Marsh theme, also utilizing Lydian and Mixolydian modes), the second part of "The Eyes of Kwolok"(which incorporates the leitmotif heard in the E3 2018 trailer, the "changing seasons" section of the prologue, Luma Pools, and Windswept Wastes), and "Baur's Reach" from Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Furthermore, several BGM pieces (Levels 1-3, Levels 4-6, Level 17, and Level 20 aside from the Phrygian dominant intro phrase) in the SNES version of Prince of Persia use a Dorian #4 (AKA Romanian or Ukrainian minor) scale, basically the Dorian mode of the harmonic minor scale, also utilized in "Arabian Nights" from Disney's Aladdin and the second town theme from Keith Courage in Alpha Zones.

[@YuuSen]

I'm so excited we finally got a Dorian video; I got some inspiration and tried to compose a piece specifically in Dorian mode last year, and was super curious to hear other ways it can be used. Also the song choices on here are always amazing. I love how your explanations always give me bigger appreciation for the music examples. Awesome video!!! What I also learned: I should be listening to WAY more video-game soundtracks.

[@KibatsuMusic]

Another good example of funky dorian usage is Costa del Sol intro from FFVII, vamping from Am7 to D7, having that b7 to 6 movement that is so groovy. By far best videos on mode usage on YT and how it even relates to my passion for VGM. Incredible work thank you!

[@SlyHikari03]

Song of storms, Midna’s theme and Chrono trigger battle theme are my favorite Dorian VGM songs.

[@fittyyen]

I've got the most basic understanding of music theory cuz of my time with high school band class, so I really appreciate the more emotive language you use in these breakdowns. Modes, Dorians, tonics, 4ths, 5ths, etc. are lost on me but I can still kinda follow the jist of what your talking about!

[@jimmyhirr5773]

The tonic is the first note of a scale. The 4th and 5th are the fourth and fifth notes in a 7-note scale counting upwards from the tonic. So in the key of C, the tonic is C, the 4th is F, and the 5th is G. You should look up an intro to music theory. If you know how to play an instrument and read sheet music, you can pick it up pretty quickly.

[@im_Spade_]

I also recommend Signals Music Studio if you want more info on the modes with "feelings" attached to explain how the modes really sound!

[@paulweyer4339]

great examples. this feels like a topic that's been done to death but your ability to explain definitely feels more approachable than most and is just fun in general when given such a variety of contexts

[@ShanevsDCsniperr]

this is a great series, even as a non-gamer with a formal music education, thank you! dorian always reminds me of the golden hour. sorry if i missed this in the video, but dorian is the also only mode (of the major scale) with the same set of intervals ascending and descending from the tonic. arranging all the modes of the major scale from "darkest" (locrian) to "brightest" (lydian), dorian is right in the middle, the most "neutral," which i think is why it has that floating quality.

[@ivanfaigenbom5300]

LOVE this "modes series". I think this video concludes the journey...or you plan to do videos for the big and popular ones now that we are at the end? This channel is by far the more inspiring one for me to analyze and make music. Thank you so much for all your hard and passionate work! :D

[@dogman15]

Five modes so far... What kind of video could be made for the other two?

[@richardgurney1844]

I hope he does do videos for Aeolian and Ionian - I'm hoping he doesn't write them off as "just the Minor and Major scales innit" (Edit: Aeolian video has now dropped! and with the promise of Ionian later)

[@StarlightMiranda]

These mode videos are my favorite music theory series of all time. Brilliant!

[@kareemjohnson2288]

I just had a question about how certain modes sound and found your channel. I’m glad I did. This video is opening my understanding to different sound textures. Thank you.

[@qhodave]

I'm glad you mentioned Funk. But man, I did not know that Dorian was that rich in variations. Kinda miss shovel knight though, idk Dorian is always sk main theme for me

[@zacharywong483]

Spectacular video! Absolutely love your analysis of so much great video game music! And your transcriptions and written annotations are so illuminating!

[@LeprechaunZombie]

I have only some understanding of music theory, but wow, pointing out that i -> IV in Olberic's Theme unlocked something in my head. I swear I've heard that exact sequence countless times in media to signify the same sort of thing: hope, or maybe more specifically, that the hero's darkest hour is ending. And always as long, sustained chords, too. I couldn't name any other examples off the top of my head, but also, I hadn't realized just how often I'd heard that progression in the same context until now.

[@SeanPorio]

I think it’s so interesting how much that degree in the modes makes tension. Functions in the diatonic aeolian key as the major 7th, but also in Lydian as it’s raised fourth pulling up to the 5 or down to the 3rd which I ADORE. A theory teacher called it “the sun shining too bright in your eyes in a clear sky” and I love that analogy.

[@mkn5844]

so many of my favorite video game themes use this mode, I had no idea it was so versatile! amazing video as always 8-bit music theory :)

[@5BBassist4Christ]

My favorite feature of the Dorian Mode is how it can so well capture a small-town folk like sound. I believe that it has been observed that most folk communities around the world tend to gravitate towards the Dorian mode, even more so than the Ionian. Dorian can be used to create a simple sound that sounds like the theme of simple folk living a simple life in a small town.

[@butthemeatwasbad]

Hearing you talk about Octopath is exciting. I know it was just an example, but there's so much to that soundtrack.

[@jimmyhirr5773]

Make sure to check out 8-Bit's other video on Octopath if you haven't already.

[@Nynodon]

and now there's even more to analyze with octopath 2 being released!

[@butthemeatwasbad]

@Jimmy Hirr oh yeah I've watched that twice I think. I hope he does some analysis for the second game too!

[@tortoiselover7215]

This was the perfect video for me to find as I've been struggling with ideas on how to use dorian

[@monkey_breath]

this series is SO good man! thanks for doing this!

[@NineNinths]

Been waiting patiently for this mode!! Love the series👏

[@trumpets101]

So full of examples for the Dorian mode, but it makes sense. All these examples jam packed together really made this an exciting video.

[@Jake9066]

Okay, you managed to hit 2 of my "All time greatest" video game songs in a single video (Halo Theme & ALttP Dark World Theme... not saying they're better than the others, they just stuck in my head day 1 and have been living there rent free ever since).

[@OsuperSorvete]

Veeeery nice man! I love this essay series on modes

[@PetarBladeStrok]

Another banger video. I'va gotta admit, FF and Chrono series are my favorites choices of yours.

[@uffevonlauterbach]

I love these videos about different modes and which games you could hear them in.

[@zachary963]

The shade thrown at funk is just amazing

[@emilyrln]

Great video! I love seeing all the different ways people have used a scale to evoke a mood.

[@markusszelbracikowski956]

I simply love this series on modes! Very cool to understand the different ways to employ each of them

[@BrofUJu]

Love these so much. I could watch 3 more of these for each mode just with different examples. So good.

[@paradoxenon]

Marshmallow Castle's bassline is so sickly sweet that it fulfills my daily caloric intake

[@gab_v250]

Seeing Joker on the thumbnail, and listening the first 12 seconds, made me scream YOU'LL NEVER SEE IT COMIIIIIIIIIING

[@tmbrwn]

Interesting, I've always thought of Dorian as a more stately Mixolydian. Thanks for showing us another way of thinking about it. :)

[@trevorbeach6863]

The Cory Wong moment at 11:44 really caught me off guard! I love your videos, keep up the amazing work! :)

[@GWIZZ2]

Thank you so much! I absolutely love the Dorian mode and I learned so much from this video!

[@nickb745]

Hey appreciate you! Feel so lucky to hear someone explain these things like you do.

[@TheFinalBoss013]

Everytime when i see that you posted a new video im like "HEEEEEEEEYYY!!" Love your content man! Respect!

[@SnarkyComments]

These videos are a goldmine of useful and interesting insight

[@roffie]

"Or, if nothing else, I hope it was fun to hear all these examples back to back" describes exactly why I watch these videos lol!

[@TheStickCollector]

Going over all of the modes? I can appreciate it.

[@leo-mewtwo]

I think after playing hollow knight and hearing the many songs that make use of the Dorian mode… if I were to pick a word to describe it, I’d say magical. Maybe that’s just a hollow knight thing, but even in other soundtracks, whenever I hear it, it’s like the song is in a minor key, but it refuses to sound sad. I feel like there’s something really magical about that, idk

[@vgmkas]

Greenpath was definitely my favorite use of Dorian in Hollow Knight. It really was used a lot in Hollow Knight!

[@lylicasoelluna6810]

There definitely is a reason why when you look into video game music that especially attempts to capture the sense of another world you'll always find that "Dorian" flavor somewhere. That raised sixth is around even when you don't expect it.

[@levithewizard]

Im glad you included a excerpt about dorian being the "Gregorian chant" vibe but temple of time theme is the GOAT for examples sorry halo fans but it's true.

[@narzonic192]

Nice! Always love to see more of your content :D

[@victorauzelly8968]

Thank You Dude ! I Love so much your videos about Modes !

[@Mr.Nichan]

I've always wondered about how people write 2-voice harmony over what in wider sense doesn't have so many chord changes, like the two treble clef lines here.

[@sohanarahaman8070]

I love listening to this it’s really great, especially the music

[@prod_virxl]

love your channel! very easy to follow & straight forward :)

[@heartysquid]

Marty O'Donnell is a genius and he took full advantage of the somber and hopeful range you have with Dorian in so much of his music.

[@Ashes2Europa]

Quality as always. I adore Dorian!

[@YingwuUsagiri]

My useless factoid about Dorian is that The Fox (yes the meme song) is actually in Dorian and if it wasn't and just "normal" it would sound super off

[@lorenzopallai6122]

Hi, your work and your videos are truly amazing. Thank you!! Congratulations!!

[@zerashy]

It would be cool to see what songs you come across that share qualities with the ones that you feature in the video that are relevant to the topic at hand, but didn't make it into the video. I would use these additional videos for some self study to see if I can pick out the relevant bits on my own. I'm thinking of like a playlist or something in the video description. Love your videos as always!

[@denischen8196]

9:45 That exact chord progression is also used for the Lava Cake in A Hat in Time. The Bowser's Castle theme in Super Mario 64 uses the Dorian mode.

[@waffleking6871]

Working on a prog metal song where I start in Aeolian/Dorian, and move through a dorian-colored voicing on the minor V/7 chord (in 3rd inversion of course) to end in Mixolydian. Modes are fun! Thank you for helping us learn about something so useful and interesting!

[@studiodsr]

Dorian can be thought of as the relative minor of Lydian. A-Dorian is the same thing as C-Lydian

[@auralsunrays9229]

Absolutely love these videos! You could make a part 2 with more examples ;) One of my favorite game music pieces that also uses a lot of dorian is from TES Skyrim "From Past to Present".

[@zachary963]

I think it’s telling that I never played Halo CE and yet the music makes me feel nostalgic and heroic

[@GuitarMetalHeadFrance]

Aaaawww this video is absolutely fantastic , with a book method i'm in learning Dorian Mode after Ionian and this video is complementary a jewel with fun

[@pippin45]

Zelda, Halo, Kirby, Persona, Cory Wong… this video has everything!

[@MetalSonicMkIV]

It's always good to see 8bitMT upload a new video to drop music knowledge on us.

[@RedLight_Chill]

Your content is kind of awesome buddy! Thanks for giving all these insight for free 🙏👊

[@MrKeithterrett]

Good video, learnt much about the Dorian mode!

[@ReloGP14th]

Im surprised you didnt talk about Beware of the Mushroom Forest from Super Mario RPG as it used the Dorian scale as well. It evokes a really nostalgic feeling even for those who never heard the track. My Home Sweet Home as well uses the Dorian scale but I think only for the Melody since the harmony is in Minor. I love to associate the Dorian scale with Nostalgic the most.

[@alonkatz4633]

The temple of time, Mt Gulg, the hymn of the faith, the "funny" theme from Bravely Default and Smash 64's menu theme (the results screen for 4 and Ultimate), too.

[@yoavshati]

My favorite use of the major IV chord is in the intro to The Night Belongs To Snarl, which goes i i IV N V7. The IV is very bright, as you said, but then the b6 doesn't bring the energy down because it's still in a very bright major chord, and then the V7 brings us back to the sadness

[@mrdillerfar]

N?

[@yoavshati]

@@mrdillerfar the Neapolitan chord, which is bII, usually in first inversion, and mainly used in minor keys. It's sort of between ii° and iv

[@mrdillerfar]

@@yoavshati Yeah I know of it, I just didn't know it was labeled N. Never come across that, probably always seen it as bII.

[@yoavshati]

@@mrdillerfar I prefer N because bII is also the tritone sub of V, which is a dominant chord, unlike N which is a predominant

[@pilby457]

My favourite soundtrack with the dorian mode is Assassin's Creed 2! Most of the soundtrack sticks to it, it's mysterious and feels immersive for 15th century Italy:)

[@Brutusque]

Loving this video, Dorian is tied with Phrygian as my favorite mode. In the Link to the Past Dark World section where it uses the Ab maj7 chord to emphasize the flat 6 and add more darkness it almost sounds like rather than an Ab maj7 chord its more simply a Cm/Ab chord which seems like an even "easier" way to inject the darkness of the flat 6, just simply play that harmony with your tonic chord. Sorry I hope I'm making sense there,

[@RespectThePep]

ngl when I say the title say Dorian I IMMEDIATELY thought of the LTTP dark world theme. A truly excellent piece of music

[@SP-iv2jj]

These are so inspirational!!! Thank you!!!

[@Jam_Gordon]

Made me smile when you pulled up that Cory Wong pic haha. What a dude.

[@Suspect187Fernando]

I once played the ruins theme from undertale for a recital, but me and my teacher could never figure out what key it was in. I learned about modes a couple months later only to realize it was in Ab dorian. What a flexible mode honestly.

[@ultimateweeabootrash]

The main thing I've learned from this series is that FFVI has a very modal soundtrack.

[@apvanlaan]

Literally just started an arrangement of the dark world theme, nice

[@demianferiy]

For me Dorian is such an Irish ☘️ mode. Always recognise it like that

[@ziggymoon7916]

this was just a fantastic video-thank you