Dorian scale · 7 notes
C Dorian scale on guitar
The C Dorian scale has 7 notes: C, D, E♭, F, G, A and B♭. A minor scale with a bright natural 6th: the sound of funk, jazz-rock and Santana.
Notes
- C
- D
- E♭
- F
- G
- A
- B♭
Formula
1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7
Steps
W – H – W – W – W – H – W
Sound
Minor but hopeful, cool and funky
C Dorian on the whole fretboard
Every C Dorian note from the open strings to the 15th fret in standard tuning (E A D G B E). The root, C, 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
C at fret 8. 7th position: frets 7–11.
In the Guitar Scale Finder app you also get the chords of C Dorian as chord diagrams, and can search all 1,860 scales for the notes you play.
Intervals and formula
Measured from C, the C Dorian scale is built from these intervals. It contains 2 flats (E♭ and B♭). Compared with C minor, it has A (6) instead of A♭.
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | root | 0 |
| 2 | D | major 2nd | 2 |
| ♭3 | E♭ | minor 3rd | 3 |
| 4 | F | perfect 4th | 5 |
| 5 | G | perfect 5th | 7 |
| 6 | A | major 6th | 9 |
| ♭7 | B♭ | minor 7th | 10 |
Chords in C Dorian
Stack every other note of the scale and you get one chord on each degree. These are the chords that “belong” to C Dorian: any of them will sound at home under a melody in C Dorian.
- iCmC · E♭ · GCm7
- iiDmD · F · ADm7
- ♭IIIE♭E♭ · G · B♭E♭maj7
- IVFF · A · CF7
- vGmG · B♭ · DGm7
- vi°A°A · C · E♭Am7♭5
- ♭VIIB♭B♭ · D · FB♭maj7
Progressions to try
- Cm – F i–IV · the classic Dorian vamp
- Cm – Dm i–ii
- Cm – B♭ – F i–♭VII–IV
How to use C 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.
- C Dorian contains exactly the notes of B♭ major, played from its second note, C. See B♭ major.
Where to find C on every string
Knowing where the root sits lets you start this scale anywhere. Here is every C between the open string and the 12th fret.
| String | Frets with C |
|---|---|
| High E (1st) | 8 |
| B (2nd) | 1 |
| G (3rd) | 5 |
| D (4th) | 10 |
| A (5th) | 3 |
| Low E (6th) | 8 |
Same notes, different name
These scales from the Scale Finder library contain exactly the same notes as C Dorian. They sound different because a different note is treated as home.
C Dorian scale FAQ
What notes are in the C Dorian scale?
The C Dorian scale has 7 notes: C, D, E♭, F, G, A and B♭. Its formula is 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7. It contains 2 flats (E♭ and B♭).
What chords are in C Dorian?
Harmonising the C Dorian scale in thirds gives Cm (i), Dm (ii), E♭ (♭III), F (IV), Gm (v), A° (vi°) and B♭ (♭VII).
Where do you play the C Dorian scale on guitar?
The root, C, is at fret 8 on the low E string and fret 3 on the A string. A good first shape covers frets 7–11, starting from the root on the 6th string.
Which scales share the same notes as C Dorian?
C Dorian contains exactly the notes of B♭ major, played from its second note, C.