Dorian scale · 7 notes
A Dorian scale on guitar
The A Dorian scale has 7 notes: A, B, C, D, E, F♯ and G. A minor scale with a bright natural 6th: the sound of funk, jazz-rock and Santana.
Notes
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
- F♯
- G
Formula
1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7
Steps
W – H – W – W – W – H – W
Sound
Minor but hopeful, cool and funky
A Dorian on the whole fretboard
Every A Dorian note from the open strings to the 15th fret in standard tuning (E A D G B E). The root, A, is shown in red so you can always find home.
A shape to learn first
You don’t need the whole neck at once. This hand position is anchored on a root note on the 6th (low E) string, which is how most guitarists find a scale in any key.
Root on the 6th (low E) string
A at fret 5. 4th position: frets 4–8.
In the Guitar Scale Finder app you also get the chords of A Dorian as chord diagrams, and can search all 1,860 scales for the notes you play.
Intervals and formula
Measured from A, the A Dorian scale is built from these intervals. It contains 1 sharp (F♯). Compared with A minor, it has F♯ (6) instead of F.
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | root | 0 |
| 2 | B | major 2nd | 2 |
| ♭3 | C | minor 3rd | 3 |
| 4 | D | perfect 4th | 5 |
| 5 | E | perfect 5th | 7 |
| 6 | F♯ | major 6th | 9 |
| ♭7 | G | minor 7th | 10 |
Chords in A Dorian
Stack every other note of the scale and you get one chord on each degree. These are the chords that “belong” to A Dorian: any of them will sound at home under a melody in A Dorian.
- iAmA · C · EAm7
- iiBmB · D · F♯Bm7
- ♭IIICC · E · GCmaj7
- IVDD · F♯ · AD7
- vEmE · G · BEm7
- vi°F♯°F♯ · A · CF♯m7♭5
- ♭VIIGG · B · DGmaj7
Progressions to try
- Am – D i–IV · the classic Dorian vamp
- Am – Bm i–ii
- Am – G – D i–♭VII–IV
How to use A Dorian
Reach for it over minor 7th chords, one- or two-chord minor vamps (i–IV), funk, jazz, and Santana-style rock. Its sound is minor but hopeful, cool and funky.
Tip: Dorian is the natural minor with a raised 6th. Over a minor vamp, aim for that 6th: it is the note that makes Dorian sound like Dorian.
- A Dorian contains exactly the notes of G major, played from its second note, A. See G major.
Where to find A on every string
Knowing where the root sits lets you start this scale anywhere. Here is every A between the open string and the 12th fret.
| String | Frets with A |
|---|---|
| High E (1st) | 5 |
| B (2nd) | 10 |
| G (3rd) | 2 |
| D (4th) | 7 |
| A (5th) | 0, 12 |
| Low E (6th) | 5 |
Same notes, different name
These scales from the Scale Finder library contain exactly the same notes as A Dorian. They sound different because a different note is treated as home.
A Dorian scale FAQ
What notes are in the A Dorian scale?
The A Dorian scale has 7 notes: A, B, C, D, E, F♯ and G. Its formula is 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7. It contains 1 sharp (F♯).
What chords are in A Dorian?
Harmonising the A Dorian scale in thirds gives Am (i), Bm (ii), C (♭III), D (IV), Em (v), F♯° (vi°) and G (♭VII).
Where do you play the A Dorian scale on guitar?
The root, A, is at fret 5 on the low E string and fret 0 and 12 on the A string. A good first shape covers frets 4–8, starting from the root on the 6th string.
Which scales share the same notes as A Dorian?
A Dorian contains exactly the notes of G major, played from its second note, A.