STRINGSCALES

G dorian #4 Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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

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

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

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

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

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

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G 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:

G

i

Gm
A

II

Amaj
B♭

bIII

B♭maj
C♯

#iv°

C♯dim
D

v

Dm
E

vi°

Edim
F

bVII+

Faug

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

Same notes, different mode

G 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.

A phrygian dominantBb lydian #9C# ultralocrianD harmonic minorE locrian 6F major augmented

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

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

How to play G dorian #4 on guitar

Open G string is the root and low E, A, D and high E are in the scale too, so five drones are on tap. Roots on the E strings land at fret 3, which means the E-shape barre is the box you reach for first. Faug is the bVII+. Start the same shape 7 semitones higher and D harmonic minor comes out, so the fingering pays for itself.

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