C Dorian mode on bass

The Dorian mode is a minor scale with a major sixth. Brighter than the natural minor, it is widely used in jazz, funk and rock.

On the whole neck

EADGFGAB♭CDE♭AB♭CDE♭FGADE♭FGAB♭CDGAB♭CDE♭FG0123456789101112
EADGFGAB♭CDE♭AB♭CDE♭FGADE♭FGAB♭CDGAB♭CDE♭FG0123456789101112

Position from fret 7

EADGCDE♭FGAB♭CDE♭F7891011
EADGCDE♭FGAB♭CDE♭F7891011

Root notes are filled. The position starts from the root on the 4th string (low E).

Notes of the scale

DegreeNoteInterval
1Croot
2Dmajor second
3E♭ (E flat)minor third
4Fperfect fourth
5Gperfect fifth
6Amajor sixth
7B♭ (B flat)minor seventh

Steps between notes: W – H – W – W – W – H – W (W = whole step, H = half step)

This mode uses the same notes as the B flat major scale, starting from another degree.

Chords of the scale

Triads built on each degree:

  1. Cmi
  2. Dmii
  3. E♭III
  4. FIV
  5. Gmv
  6. Adimvi°
  7. B♭VII

Other C scales

The same scale in other keys