STRINGSCALES

D dorian #4 Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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

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

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

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

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

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

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D 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:

D

i

Dm
E

II

Emaj
F

bIII

Fmaj
G♯

#iv°

G♯dim
A

v

Am
B

vi°

Bdim
C

bVII+

Caug

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

Same notes, different mode

D 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.

E phrygian dominantF lydian #9G# ultralocrianA harmonic minorB locrian 6C major augmented

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

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

How to play D dorian #4 on guitar

Open D string is the root, with A a fifth above and both E strings a major second, so five open strings sit inside the key. Fretted roots start at fret 5 on the A and fret 10 on the low E, which means the A-shape barre at 5 is your first real box. Move the shape 2 semitones up for E phrygian dominant. Caug takes the bVII+ and G#dim the #iv.

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