STRINGSCALES

E dorian #4 Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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

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

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

G string: G, A#, B, C#, D, E, F#, G at frets 0, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12

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

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

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E 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:

E

i

Em
F♯

II

F♯maj
G

bIII

Gmaj
A♯

#iv°

A♯dim
B

v

Bm
C♯

vi°

C♯dim
D

bVII+

Daug

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

Same notes, different mode

E 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.

F# phrygian dominantG lydian #9A# ultralocrianB harmonic minorC# locrian 6D major augmented

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

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

How to play E dorian #4 on guitar

Both E strings are open roots, and D, G and B belong too, so five strings ring the key with nothing fretted. First box ends at fret 4, which means position work starts almost immediately. Bm is the v and Daug the bVII+. Play the same fingering 7 semitones up and it is B harmonic minor, so the shape earns its keep twice.

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