B 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♯G♯ABC♯DEABC♯DEF♯G♯ADEF♯G♯ABC♯DG♯ABC♯DEF♯BC♯DEF♯G♯ABEF♯G♯ABC♯DE0123456789101112
EADGBEEF♯G♯ABC♯DEABC♯DEF♯G♯ADEF♯G♯ABC♯DG♯ABC♯DEF♯BC♯DEF♯G♯ABEF♯G♯ABC♯DE0123456789101112

Position from fret 6

EADGBEBC♯DEF♯G♯ABC♯DEF♯G♯ABC♯D678910
EADGBEBC♯DEF♯G♯ABC♯DEF♯G♯ABC♯D678910

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
1Broot
2C♯ (C sharp)major second
3Dminor third
4Eperfect fourth
5F♯ (F sharp)perfect fifth
6G♯ (G sharp)major sixth
7Aminor 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 A major scale, starting from another degree.

Chords of the scale

Triads built on each degree:

  1. Bmi
  2. C♯mii
  3. DIII
  4. EIV
  5. F♯mv
  6. G♯dimvi°
  7. AVII

Other B scales

The same scale in other keys