D 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

EADGEFGABCDEABCDEFGADEFGABCDGABCDEFG0123456789101112
EADGEFGABCDEABCDEFGADEFGABCDGABCDEFG0123456789101112

Position from fret 9

EADGDEFGABCDEFG910111213
EADGDEFGABCDEFG910111213

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

Notes of the scale

DegreeNoteInterval
1Droot
2Emajor second
3Fminor third
4Gperfect fourth
5Aperfect fifth
6Bmajor sixth
7Cminor 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 C major scale, starting from another degree.

Chords of the scale

Triads built on each degree:

  1. Dmi
  2. Emii
  3. FIII
  4. GIV
  5. Amv
  6. Bdimvi°
  7. CVII

Other D scales

The same scale in other keys