Dorian scale · 7 notes
E Dorian scale on guitar
The E Dorian scale has 7 notes: E, F♯, G, A, B, C♯ and D. A minor scale with a bright natural 6th: the sound of funk, jazz-rock and Santana.
Notes
- E
- F♯
- G
- A
- B
- C♯
- D
Formula
1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7
Steps
W – H – W – W – W – H – W
Sound
Minor but hopeful, cool and funky
E Dorian on the whole fretboard
Every E Dorian note from the open strings to the 15th fret in standard tuning (E A D G B E). The root, E, 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
E at fret 0. Open position: frets 0–4.
In the Guitar Scale Finder app you also get the chords of E Dorian as chord diagrams, and can search all 1,860 scales for the notes you play.
Intervals and formula
Measured from E, the E Dorian scale is built from these intervals. It contains 2 sharps (F♯ and C♯). Compared with E minor, it has C♯ (6) instead of C.
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | root | 0 |
| 2 | F♯ | major 2nd | 2 |
| ♭3 | G | minor 3rd | 3 |
| 4 | A | perfect 4th | 5 |
| 5 | B | perfect 5th | 7 |
| 6 | C♯ | major 6th | 9 |
| ♭7 | D | minor 7th | 10 |
Chords in E Dorian
Stack every other note of the scale and you get one chord on each degree. These are the chords that “belong” to E Dorian: any of them will sound at home under a melody in E Dorian.
- iEmE · G · BEm7
- iiF♯mF♯ · A · C♯F♯m7
- ♭IIIGG · B · DGmaj7
- IVAA · C♯ · EA7
- vBmB · D · F♯Bm7
- vi°C♯°C♯ · E · GC♯m7♭5
- ♭VIIDD · F♯ · ADmaj7
Progressions to try
- Em – A i–IV · the classic Dorian vamp
- Em – F♯m i–ii
- Em – D – A i–♭VII–IV
How to use E 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.
- E Dorian contains exactly the notes of D major, played from its second note, E. See D major.
Where to find E on every string
Knowing where the root sits lets you start this scale anywhere. Here is every E between the open string and the 12th fret.
| String | Frets with E |
|---|---|
| High E (1st) | 0, 12 |
| B (2nd) | 5 |
| G (3rd) | 9 |
| D (4th) | 2 |
| A (5th) | 7 |
| Low E (6th) | 0, 12 |
Same notes, different name
These scales from the Scale Finder library contain exactly the same notes as E Dorian. They sound different because a different note is treated as home.
E Dorian scale FAQ
What notes are in the E Dorian scale?
The E Dorian scale has 7 notes: E, F♯, G, A, B, C♯ and D. Its formula is 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7. It contains 2 sharps (F♯ and C♯).
What chords are in E Dorian?
Harmonising the E Dorian scale in thirds gives Em (i), F♯m (ii), G (♭III), A (IV), Bm (v), C♯° (vi°) and D (♭VII).
Where do you play the E Dorian scale on guitar?
The root, E, is at fret 0 on the low E string and fret 7 on the A string. A good first shape covers frets 0–4, starting from the root on the 6th string.
Which scales share the same notes as E Dorian?
E Dorian contains exactly the notes of D major, played from its second note, E.