A Dorian mode on guitar

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

EADGBEEF♯GABCDEABCDEF♯GADEF♯GABCDGABCDEF♯GBCDEF♯GABEF♯GABCDE0123456789101112

Position from fret 4

EADGBEABCDEF♯GABCDEF♯GABC45678

Root notes are filled. The position groups the notes of the scale in one area of the neck, starting from the root on the 6th string.

Notes of the scale

DegreeNoteInterval
1Aroot
2Bmajor second
3Cminor third
4Dperfect fourth
5Eperfect fifth
6F♯ (F sharp)major sixth
7Gminor 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 G major scale, starting from another degree.

Chords of the scale

Triads built on each degree:

  1. Ami
  2. Bmii
  3. CIII
  4. DIV
  5. Emv
  6. F♯dimvi°
  7. GVII

Other A scales

The same scale in other keys