Dorian Mode

The Dorian scale, or mode, is the second of the seven musical modes. It is similar to the natural minor except for the raised sixth. The Dorian scale is the minor scale that appears when a major scale is started from the second note (second scale-degree).

Play through the Dorian scale several times and listen to it carefully. That’s the Dorian sound. You’ll be able to distinguish it on your guitar after a while just by the sound of it. Its characteristic note is the 6th note. (Major 6th)

For example in G Major

A Dorian scale is as follows: A B C D E F# G. F# would be the characteristic note so make sure you hit it when soloing.

If you notice the G Major scale is exactly the same. The only thing I did was play the scale starting from the A note. 🙂

Now to get an authentic dorian sound in the Key of G Major simply play the A Dorian scale. Chords to play underneath besides any chord in G Major. Aminor or Aminor6 or Aminor7 or Aminor9 or Aminor6/9

To play in other keys simply change the letter of the chord. From A to E or to D etc…same shape across the neck. We will talk about this some more. For now focus on the scales/licks and the homework assignment on intervals. Last but not least its always good to record yourself playing. Chords for licks: A minor 6/9 on the key of G Major or E Minor —-7— —-7— —-5— —-7— ——— ———

You could also play a simple drone note. For example, you could strike the A string and let it ring and play A Dorian over that.

E minor 6/9 in the key of D Major or B Minor (refer to the E dorian licks) ——– —-7— —-6— —-5— —-7— ———

D minor 6/9 in the Key of C Major or A minor (refer to the Dorian lick in the pdf) ——– —-5— —-4— —-3— —-5— ——— You may want to record a 2 min track on your iphone or in your DAW of each of these chords. This gives you rhythm practice and it gives you your own authentic backing track. I feel I usually play better when its my own rhythm in the backing track. Try arpeggiating the chord for one section and then strum it for the next. Go back and forth like this for 2 minutes. I could offer a track of my own but that would defeat the purpose. Don’t worry…it doesn’t have to be Grade A Production, it just has to be clear and loud enough for you to play along. If you record on your phone, make sure the speaker is next the guitar or amp.

You could also practice without the amp.

Ok, lets get started: below are the licks and scales. They are presented in 3 different keys. Remember that Dorian is not a key itself, its a mode, which is part of a key. In every major scale, the 2nd chord is where Dorian is played over. In any minor scale its the 4th chord that Dorian is played over.

Notice that in the licks (although not all of them) they use the characteristic note (the Major 6th) to get an authentic Dorian sound. Without it, you may sound Dorian in the rhythm but not in the lead which defeats the purpose of learning Dorian scales.