STRINGSCALES

A dorian #4 Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D#, E at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12

A string: A, B, C, D#, E, F#, G, A at frets 0, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12

D string: D#, E, F#, G, A, B, C at frets 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10

G string: G, A, B, C, D#, E, F#, G at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12

B string: B, C, D#, E, F#, G, A, B at frets 0, 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12

High E string: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D#, E at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12

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A dorian #4

The dorian #4 scale, the fourth mode of the harmonic minor scale, is also known as the ukrainian dorian or romanian minor scale. Dorian's minor-with-a-bright-6th frame gets a raised 4th, producing the klezmer and Eastern European fiddle sound. The #4 pulls up to the 5th while the b3 keeps it minor: instant folk drama over a minor chord.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

A

i

Am
B

II

Bmaj
C

bIII

Cmaj
D♯

#iv°

D♯dim
E

v

Em
F♯

vi°

F♯dim
G

bVII+

Gaug

Characteristic note: D# (#4), the raised fourth over a dorian base, the Ukrainian dorian sound.

Same notes, different mode

A dorian #4 uses the same notes as the scales below. Start from a different note and you get a new mode built on the very same note set.

B phrygian dominantC lydian #9D# ultralocrianE harmonic minorF# locrian 6G major augmented

dorian #4 in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • The klezmer move: bIII (C) up to #IV (D#), an augmented 2nd inside a minor scale with a bright 6th; practice it as a slide on one string.
  • It is harmonic minor's fourth mode: A dorian #4 (D#) equals the harmonic minor a 4th below, so fingerings transfer.
  • Resolve #IV (D#) up to V constantly; that pull against the minor 3rd is the Eastern European fiddle sound.
  • Over a m6 or m7 vamp, alternate plain dorian and dorian #4 (D#): moving one note in and out keeps a long solo alive.

How to play A dorian #4 on guitar

Open A string is the root, and the E strings answer a fifth above, so a drone pair is free before you fret a note. Fretted roots follow at fret 5 on the low E and fret 2 on the G, which means the A-shape and the open box share space. Em is the v, Gaug the bVII+. Same shape from 2 semitones up gives B phrygian dominant, so one fingering covers a mode you already reach for.

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