The Dorian Mode

The Dorian mode is the second mode of the major scale and utilizes all the notes in a major

scale starting from the second degree. The Dorian mode utilizes the scale degrees of 1, 2, b3,
4, 5, 6,and b7.

Dorian can be utilized over minor chords and at times over all the chords in a minor key

progression. If you play a lot of blues, rock, or metal you definitely want to add the Dorian

mode to your playing arsenal.

The Dorian mode is very similar to the Aeolian Mode with the exception that the sixth degree is

not flattened. In other words Natural Minor has a minor 6th, while Dorian has a major 6th. There

is just the one half step difference between these two scales.

Dorian mode 1 (root) 2 b3 4 5 6 b7

Aeolian Mode 1 (root) 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7

The Dorian mode is a minor sounding mode. Although rocked out and bluesy, it is very soulful

and sophisticated. It contains all the same intervals as a Minor Pentatonic scale, but adds the

2
nd
and 6
th
scale degrees.

Below are two patterns for the Dorian mode with root notes off the Low E and A strings.
Remember not to think of “shapes” or “positions” as modes. You want to get in the habit of

looking at the entire fretboard as the vehicle for the mode, not just a certain position. Try to

work up to the point of learning the mode and its interval structure across the entire fretboard.

1

1 1

4

4

1

4

3 3 3

1 1

1. Dorian scale low E string root

2 2

4 3

4

= root note

Fingering to

(^) be utilized

1 1
1
4
4
1
4
3 3
1

2. Dorian scale A string root

2

2

3

4