Dorian scale on guitar
Jazz, funk, jam-band staple. Minor with a raised 6th. Formula 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7. In A, the Dorian scale is A, B, C, D, E, F#, G.
Formula and step pattern
Steps between neighbouring notes, closing on the octave: W H W W W H W (W = whole step, H = half step, W+H = three semitones).
| Degree | Semitones from root | In A |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | A |
| 2 | 2 | B |
| b3 | 3 | C |
| 4 | 5 | D |
| 5 | 7 | E |
| 6 | 9 | F# |
| b7 | 10 | G |
Dorian scale notes in all 12 keys
The root fret columns show where each key starts on the 6th (low E) and 5th (A) strings in standard tuning.
| Key | Notes | Root on 6th string | Root on 5th string |
|---|---|---|---|
| C Dorian | C D Eb F G A Bb | 8 | 3 |
| C# Dorian | C# D# E F# G# A# B | 9 | 4 |
| D Dorian | D E F G A B C | 10 | 5 |
| Eb Dorian | Eb F Gb Ab Bb C Db | 11 | 6 |
| E Dorian | E F# G A B C# D | Open (and 12) | 7 |
| F Dorian | F G Ab Bb C D Eb | 1 | 8 |
| F# Dorian | F# G# A B C# D# E | 2 | 9 |
| G Dorian | G A Bb C D E F | 3 | 10 |
| G# Dorian | G# A# B C# D# E# F# | 4 | 11 |
| A Dorian | A B C D E F# G | 5 | Open (and 12) |
| Bb Dorian | Bb C Db Eb F G Ab | 6 | 1 |
| B Dorian | B C# D E F# G# A | 7 | 2 |
Fretboard positions: A Dorian
Root in solid cyan, scale tones outlined, from the open strings to fret 15. Slide the pattern along the neck to change key, using the root frets in the table above.
Pick another root in the scale trainer to light up the Dorian scale in any key.
Chords that fit A Dorian
Chords from the chord library built only from notes of A Dorian (A B C D E F# G).
Related scales
- Major scale: Same notes, different home note: A Dorian uses the notes of G major.
- Natural minor scale: Same notes, different home note: A Dorian uses the notes of E natural minor. One note apart: Natural minor has b6 where Dorian has 6.
- Minor pentatonic scale: Minor pentatonic sits inside Dorian, which adds 2 and 6.
- Phrygian scale: Same notes, different home note: A Dorian uses the notes of B Phrygian.
- Lydian scale: Same notes, different home note: A Dorian uses the notes of C Lydian.
- Mixolydian scale: Same notes, different home note: A Dorian uses the notes of D Mixolydian. One note apart: Mixolydian has 3 where Dorian has b3.
- Locrian scale: Same notes, different home note: A Dorian uses the notes of F# Locrian.
- Melodic minor scale: One note apart: Melodic minor has 7 where Dorian has b7.