Dorian Scale Guitar Chart

In this guitar lesson we are going to be learning about how the Dorian scale is made, what notes give it its unique sound, and one of the more common Dorian guitar scale shapes. We have supplied you with the scale diagram for the shape that we will be using in this lesson.

Let’s start out with an E major scale and then alter a few of the notes in the scale to make it into a Dorian scale. The E major scale is spelled 1E 2F# 3G# 4A 5B 6C# 7D#. All that you have to do to make a major scale into a Dorian scale is lower the 3rd and 7th scale degree one half step each. G# is the 3rd scale degree in the E major scale and D# is the 7th. Lower the G# to a G and the D# to a D. That would give you an E Dorian scale, spelled 1E 2F# 3G 4A 5B 6C# 7D. Check out the scale diagram to learn the shape we are using in this lesson.

You can also think about the Dorian scale by picking any major scale and starting on the 2nd scale degree. For example, pick a D major scale. The key signature for D major is two sharps. Move to the second scale degree, an E, and start playing the scale there. You would be playing an E Dorian scale. You can also create an E Dorian scale by starting with an E minor scale, spelled 1E 2F# 3G 4A 5B 6C 7D, and raising the 6th scale degree one half step. Again this would give you 1E 2F# #G 4A 5B 6C# 7D. This raised 6th scale degree really sets apart the Dorian sound from the natural minor, or Aeolian, sound. Either way you choose to think about it is fine, they all end in the same result.

The Dorian Mode

Dorian scales are a minor scales so they will be a bit darker sounding than a major scale. The notes that give the Dorian scale its unique sound are the 1st, 3rd 6th, and 7th scale degrees. The 1st degree gives us our tonal center, the 3rd degree give the minor quality to the E minor chord that we will be playing over, the raised 6th scale degree gives us our unique Dorian sound, and the 7th emphasizes the other note that has been altered from the E major scale.

Record an E minor chord or get a friend to play it for you. Practice this E Dorian scale shape over the E minor chord. Listen to what each scale degree sounds like over the chord. If you don’t have a recorder or an available friend, just hit your low E string and let it ring out while improvising with the E Dorian scale. If you like the Dorian sound, try learning some other Dorian scale shapes and experiment with them all over the fretboard. Check out the classic jazz song “So What” to get a better idea of what improvising in the Dorian mode sounds like. You can also download the Free Jam Track By Clicking Here. This one is in A Dorian and it has a kind of Latin feel to it.The Dorian mode is the second of the seven musical modes. It is a minor type scale because of its minor third (

As shown below, the Dorian mode is simply the major scale (Ionian mode) beginning on the degree II. It means that the Dorian mode of C major is D Dorian. Once you know the major scale you know the Dorian mode because they contain the same notes.

E Dorian Guitar Scales Guitar Scales Chart

Now thatyou are aware of its composition, you should be able to build and play any Dorian scalein twelve keys. Here is a summary chart.

For example, to play the D Dorian mode using the first shape you have to put your first fingeron the sixth string atthe tenth fret.

To play the D Dorian mode using the second pattern you must put you first finger on the fifth string at the fifth fret.

Improvisation With The Dorian Scale: Solo Using Modes

Of course, it is very importantto play the Dorian mode in twelve keys. You just have to move the root tothe desirednote keeping the same intervals.

The two shapes on the right show how to play the Dorian mode within two octaves in order to cover the strings on the guitar. Once again, try to transpose these patterns in all twelve keys.

Practicing scales using 3 notes per string shapes is a good way to cover the whole guitar neck. With this method you learn how to play scales using several fingerings and how to start fromdifferent degrees of the scale.

Dorian Bebop Scale

Here is a chart and a cheat sheet showing the chords (triads and seventh chords) of the Dorian mode and the related Roman Numerals. Thisexample is in C, notice that it can obviously be applied to any key.

Here are some minor chord shapes that fit with the Dorian mode. Try to associate them with the Dorian mode as shown in the first two examples below.

In this line you hear the D Dorian modein intervals of sixths ending with an inverted drop 2 voicing chord(Dm7 ?R -On this page you’ll find Dorian scale guitar tab, fretboard diagrams and information. We’ll show you how to play a Dorian scale on guitar, and what a Dorian scale actually is.

The Dorian Mode: Essential Guitar Scales

The above tab shows one way of playing a Dorian scale on guitar. It shows a 2 octave C Dorian scale starting at the 8th fret.

The green circles  show the tonic note of the scale. (The tonic note is the note that the scale is named after, e.g. the ‘C’ in C major.)

The Dorian Modal scale is a minor scale that is widely used in traditional folk music, and is now common in rock and jazz.

The Dorian Pentatonic Scale

You can create some very beautiful melodies using the Dorian scale. Try improvising some for yourself, using the scale shapes in the diagrams above.

The Dorian scale is a ‘modal’ scale. Modal scales are formed from other scales. Most of the time, the term ‘modal scales’ refers to scales formed from the major scale.

The Dorian modal scale uses the same notes as those in a major scale, but it starts and ends on the second note of the major scale.

Guitar Fingering Chart A Dorian Minor Guitar Patterns By Jay Skyler

As you can see, the G dorian scale uses the same notes as the F major scale, but starts and ends on the second degree of the F major scale.

If you know a major scale shape on guitar, you can simply start on the second note, and end one note higher, and you’ll be playing a Dorian scale.

We hope that you have enjoyed learning about the Dorian scale. Try using this scale for yourself, either by writing Dorian melodies, or by using it in improvisation.

Modes Explained 3: Caged Modes

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Posted by zodaries14

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