STRINGSCALES

E dorian Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D, E at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12

A string: A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12

D string: D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12

G string: G, A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G at frets 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12

B string: B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A, B at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12

High E string: E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D, E at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12

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E dorian

The dorian mode is minor with a natural 6th, built from the second degree of the major scale a whole step down. The raised 6th brightens the minor sound just enough for it to swing, which is why it owns modal jazz (Miles Davis built So What on two dorian chords), Santana-style latin rock and funk vamps. Over a minor 7th chord it is usually the first mode to reach for.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

E

i

Em
F♯

ii

F♯m
G

bIII

Gmaj
A

IV

Amaj
B

v

Bm
C♯

vi°

C♯dim
D

bVII

Dmaj

Characteristic note: C# (natural 6), the brighter sixth that sets dorian apart from natural minor.

Same notes, different mode

E dorian 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.

F# phrygianG lydianA mixolydianB minor · relative minorC# locrianD major · relative major

dorian in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Highlight the natural 6th (C#): hold it over a E minor chord and you hear the exact difference between dorian and natural minor (C).
  • Vamp between the i and IV chords in E dorian (both live in the scale) for the modal jazz and Santana feel.
  • Build lines from the m7 arpeggio (root, bIII (G), V, bVII (D)) and use the 2nd (F#) and 6th (C#) as color between chord tones.
  • Over a funk groove on a m7 chord, emphasize the 6th (C#) against the flat 7th (D) for that bright-minor rub.

How to play E dorian on guitar

Both E strings ring the root open, so E dorian gets a built-in drone at the bottom and top of every strum. All six opens belong to the key: A adds the fourth, D the flat seventh, G the minor third, B the fifth. Lines can start on the open low E. Up the neck the E-shape barre lands at fret 12 and the A-shape at fret 7, which lets the same key stretch from the nut to the octave.

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