Box 1
Position 1 (6th-string root)
Frets 8–11
When to use it: Root on the 6th string. Learn this one first — matching the root to a fret is all it takes to move the shape to any key.
Dorian Mode
C Dorian Mode
Minor with a bright 6th — funk vamps, modal jazz, and Santana.
- Notes
- C D E♭ F G A B♭
- Formula
- 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · ♭7
- Sound
- cool, jazzy
- Guitar positions
- 2
The patterns on guitar
2 fretboard positions in standard tuning, low string on the left. Every dot is a note of the scale and the number inside it is the scale degree, so you can see the shape and the theory at once.
root notescale notenumbers inside the dots are scale degrees
Box 2
Position 2 (5th-string root)
Frets 3–6
When to use it: Root on the 5th string. Use it when the tonic is easier to find on the A string, or when you want the scale to sit higher.
The notes
7 notes, built off C with the formula 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · ♭7. Dorian is natural minor with the 6th raised, which takes the mourning out of minor and leaves something cooler. Play it over a static i–IV vamp and the raised 6th is the note doing the work.
Tap any note to hear it on its own.
Chords built from this scale
Stack every other note of the scale and you get its seven diatonic chords. These are the chords that sound at home over this scale — a progression made only of these will never leave the key.
| Degree | Chord | Notes | Seventh | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| i | Cm | C E♭ G | Cm7 | tonic — everything resolves here |
| ii | Dm | D F A | Dm7 | supertonic — pre-dominant — the usual step toward the dominant |
| III | E♭ | E♭ G B♭ | E♭maj7 | mediant — relative-major colour |
| IV | F | F A C | F7 | subdominant — the lift away from home |
| v | Gm | G B♭ D | Gm7 | dominant — a softer, modal pull home |
| vi° | Adim | A C E♭ | Am7♭5 | submediant — unstable |
| VII | B♭ | B♭ D F | B♭maj7 | subtonic — a whole step below home, no pull |
Common questions
What notes are in the C Dorian Mode?
The C Dorian mode has 7 notes: C, D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb. The interval formula is 1–2–♭3–4–5–6–♭7, counted up from C.
What chords are in the C Dorian Mode?
The C Dorian mode builds seven diatonic chords: i Cm, ii Dm, III Eb, IV F, v Gm, vi° Adim, VII Bb.
Where do I start on guitar?
Start with Position 1 (6th-string root) at fret 8. Root on the 6th string. Learn this one first — matching the root to a fret is all it takes to move the shape to any key.
Learn the theory behind it
The patterns above get your fingers moving. These explain what the notes are actually doing, so you can use the scale instead of just running it.