STRINGSCALES

C dorian #4 Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: F#, G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb at frets 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11

A string: A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F#, G, A at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12

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

G string: G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F#, G at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12

B string: C, D, Eb, F#, G, A, Bb at frets 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11

High E string: F#, G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb at frets 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11

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C 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:

C

i

Cm
D

II

Dmaj
E♭

bIII

E♭maj
F♯

#iv°

F♯dim
G

v

Gm
A

vi°

Adim
B♭

bVII+

B♭aug

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

Same notes, different mode

C 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.

D phrygian dominantEb lydian #9F# ultralocrianG harmonic minorA locrian 6Bb major augmented

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

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

How to play C dorian #4 on guitar

Open A, D and G strings all belong here, so the middle of the guitar can drone while you work the box. Same fingering played from 7 semitones up is G harmonic minor, which means one shape already gives you two keys. Lowest root waits at fret 8 on the low E, with the A string root at 3 and the D string at 10. Bbaug holds the bVII+.

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