STRINGSCALES

B♭ dorian #4 Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, E at frets 0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12

A string: Bb, C, Db, E, F, G, Ab at frets 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11

D string: E, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db at frets 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11

G string: G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, E, F, G at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12

B string: C, Db, E, F, G, Ab, Bb at frets 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11

High E string: E, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, E at frets 0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12

Pick a root note

Pick a scale

Bb 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:

B♭

i

B♭m
C

II

Cmaj
D♭

bIII

D♭maj
E

#iv°

Edim
F

v

Fm
G

vi°

Gdim
A♭

bVII+

A♭aug

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

Same notes, different mode

Bb 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.

C phrygian dominantDb lydian #9E ultralocrianF harmonic minorG locrian 6Ab major augmented

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

tip
  • The klezmer move: bIII (Db) up to #IV (E), 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: Bb dorian #4 (E) equals the harmonic minor a 4th below, so fingerings transfer.
  • Resolve #IV (E) 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 (E): moving one note in and out keeps a long solo alive.

How to play B♭ dorian #4 on guitar

Open G belongs to this key as the major sixth, and both E strings sit an augmented fourth over Bb, so use them as passing notes rather than a bed. Fret 1 on the A string holds the root, so the A-shape barre sits low while the E-shape waits at 6. Capo fret 1 makes the whole key read as A. Abaug is the bVII+ and Edim the #iv.

homeall scalesaboutfaqpricingmicrotonalterms & conditionsprivacy policycookie policy© 2026 StringScales. All rights reserved.