Dorian scale · 7 notes
D Dorian scale on guitar
The D Dorian scale has 7 notes: D, E, F, G, A, B and C. A minor scale with a bright natural 6th: the sound of funk, jazz-rock and Santana.
Notes
- D
- E
- F
- G
- A
- B
- C
Formula
1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7
Steps
W – H – W – W – W – H – W
Sound
Minor but hopeful, cool and funky
D Dorian on the whole fretboard
Every D Dorian note from the open strings to the 15th fret in standard tuning (E A D G B E). The root, D, 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
D at fret 10. 9th position: frets 9–13.
In the Guitar Scale Finder app you also get the chords of D Dorian as chord diagrams, and can search all 1,860 scales for the notes you play.
Intervals and formula
Measured from D, the D Dorian scale is built from these intervals. It has no sharps or flats: every note is a natural. Compared with D minor, it has B (6) instead of B♭.
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | root | 0 |
| 2 | E | major 2nd | 2 |
| ♭3 | F | minor 3rd | 3 |
| 4 | G | perfect 4th | 5 |
| 5 | A | perfect 5th | 7 |
| 6 | B | major 6th | 9 |
| ♭7 | C | minor 7th | 10 |
Chords in D Dorian
Stack every other note of the scale and you get one chord on each degree. These are the chords that “belong” to D Dorian: any of them will sound at home under a melody in D Dorian.
- iDmD · F · ADm7
- iiEmE · G · BEm7
- ♭IIIFF · A · CFmaj7
- IVGG · B · DG7
- vAmA · C · EAm7
- vi°B°B · D · FBm7♭5
- ♭VIICC · E · GCmaj7
Progressions to try
- Dm – G i–IV · the classic Dorian vamp
- Dm – Em i–ii
- Dm – C – G i–♭VII–IV
How to use D 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.
- D Dorian contains exactly the notes of C major, played from its second note, D. See C major.
Where to find D on every string
Knowing where the root sits lets you start this scale anywhere. Here is every D between the open string and the 12th fret.
| String | Frets with D |
|---|---|
| High E (1st) | 10 |
| B (2nd) | 3 |
| G (3rd) | 7 |
| D (4th) | 0, 12 |
| A (5th) | 5 |
| Low E (6th) | 10 |
Same notes, different name
These scales from the Scale Finder library contain exactly the same notes as D Dorian. They sound different because a different note is treated as home.
D Dorian scale FAQ
What notes are in the D Dorian scale?
The D Dorian scale has 7 notes: D, E, F, G, A, B and C. Its formula is 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7. It has no sharps or flats: every note is a natural.
What chords are in D Dorian?
Harmonising the D Dorian scale in thirds gives Dm (i), Em (ii), F (♭III), G (IV), Am (v), B° (vi°) and C (♭VII).
Where do you play the D Dorian scale on guitar?
The root, D, is at fret 10 on the low E string and fret 5 on the A string. A good first shape covers frets 9–13, starting from the root on the 6th string.
Which scales share the same notes as D Dorian?
D Dorian contains exactly the notes of C major, played from its second note, D.