Dorian scale · 7 notes
G Dorian scale on guitar
The G Dorian scale has 7 notes: G, A, B♭, C, D, E and F. A minor scale with a bright natural 6th: the sound of funk, jazz-rock and Santana.
Notes
- G
- A
- B♭
- C
- D
- E
- F
Formula
1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7
Steps
W – H – W – W – W – H – W
Sound
Minor but hopeful, cool and funky
G Dorian on the whole fretboard
Every G Dorian note from the open strings to the 15th fret in standard tuning (E A D G B E). The root, G, 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
G at fret 3. 2nd position: frets 2–6.
In the Guitar Scale Finder app you also get the chords of G Dorian as chord diagrams, and can search all 1,860 scales for the notes you play.
Intervals and formula
Measured from G, the G Dorian scale is built from these intervals. It contains 1 flat (B♭). Compared with G minor, it has E (6) instead of E♭.
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G | root | 0 |
| 2 | A | major 2nd | 2 |
| ♭3 | B♭ | minor 3rd | 3 |
| 4 | C | perfect 4th | 5 |
| 5 | D | perfect 5th | 7 |
| 6 | E | major 6th | 9 |
| ♭7 | F | minor 7th | 10 |
Chords in G Dorian
Stack every other note of the scale and you get one chord on each degree. These are the chords that “belong” to G Dorian: any of them will sound at home under a melody in G Dorian.
- iGmG · B♭ · DGm7
- iiAmA · C · EAm7
- ♭IIIB♭B♭ · D · FB♭maj7
- IVCC · E · GC7
- vDmD · F · ADm7
- vi°E°E · G · B♭Em7♭5
- ♭VIIFF · A · CFmaj7
Progressions to try
- Gm – C i–IV · the classic Dorian vamp
- Gm – Am i–ii
- Gm – F – C i–♭VII–IV
How to use G 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.
- G Dorian contains exactly the notes of F major, played from its second note, G. See F major.
Where to find G on every string
Knowing where the root sits lets you start this scale anywhere. Here is every G between the open string and the 12th fret.
| String | Frets with G |
|---|---|
| High E (1st) | 3 |
| B (2nd) | 8 |
| G (3rd) | 0, 12 |
| D (4th) | 5 |
| A (5th) | 10 |
| Low E (6th) | 3 |
Same notes, different name
These scales from the Scale Finder library contain exactly the same notes as G Dorian. They sound different because a different note is treated as home.
G Dorian scale FAQ
What notes are in the G Dorian scale?
The G Dorian scale has 7 notes: G, A, B♭, C, D, E and F. Its formula is 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7. It contains 1 flat (B♭).
What chords are in G Dorian?
Harmonising the G Dorian scale in thirds gives Gm (i), Am (ii), B♭ (♭III), C (IV), Dm (v), E° (vi°) and F (♭VII).
Where do you play the G Dorian scale on guitar?
The root, G, is at fret 3 on the low E string and fret 10 on the A string. A good first shape covers frets 2–6, starting from the root on the 6th string.
Which scales share the same notes as G Dorian?
G Dorian contains exactly the notes of F major, played from its second note, G.