B Dorian mode
A minor scale with a major sixth: brighter and groovier than the natural minor. The mode of funk, soul and modal jazz.
- Notes:
- B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯, A.
- Formula:
- 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7.
- Style:
- Funk, soul, jazz, rock.
- Difficulty:
- Intermediate.
On the neck
Every note of the scale on the neck (choose 12, 15 or 19 frets). Click to listen.
High E at the top, just like in tab.Neck seen from the front, headstock at the top: low E on the left, just like a chord diagram.
Play the scale notes over it. Open in the Studio
Its color
Dorian is a minor scale with a major sixth: here G♯. That one note brightens the minor sound and gives it a funky edge, less sad than the natural minor scale. It has the same notes as the A major scale, but starts on B.
Which chords to play it over
Play it over a long B minor 7 chord, or over the Bm, E, Bm, E vamp. Land on G♯: that’s the note that makes it sound Dorian.
Where you hear it
Funk, soul, modal jazz and Latin rock. Often-cited examples: “Oye Como Va” (Santana) and “So What” (Miles Davis).
Chords that go with it
The chords built on the notes of the scale: improvise with this scale over any progression that uses them.
Progressions to use it on
Loop the first one and improvise over it:
All 7 positions
Seven positions, one for each note of the mode, with three notes per string: the same shapes as the major scale, but the root (in orange) falls elsewhere. The characteristic note is in purple. Position 1 starts on the root, on the 6th string.
Position 1: frets 7 to 12
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|-------------------------------------9-10-12-| B|-----------------------------9-10-12---------| G|----------------------7-9-11-----------------| D|---------------7-9-11------------------------| A|--------7-9-11-------------------------------| E|-7-9-10--------------------------------------|
Position 2: frets 9 to 14
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|------------------------------------------10-12-14-| B|---------------------------------10-12-14----------| G|-------------------------9-11-13-------------------| D|-----------------9-11-12---------------------------| A|---------9-11-12-----------------------------------| E|-9-10-12-------------------------------------------|
Position 3: frets 10 to 16
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|----------------------------------------------12-14-16-| B|-------------------------------------12-14-15----------| G|----------------------------11-13-14-------------------| D|-------------------11-12-14----------------------------| A|----------11-12-14-------------------------------------| E|-10-12-14----------------------------------------------|
Position 4: frets 0 to 5
It also works an octave higher, frets 12 to 17.
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|-------------------------------2-4-5-| B|-------------------------2-3-5-------| G|-------------------1-2-4-------------| D|-------------0-2-4-------------------| A|-------0-2-4-------------------------| E|-0-2-4-------------------------------|
Position 5: frets 2 to 7
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|-------------------------------4-5-7-| B|-------------------------3-5-7-------| G|-------------------2-4-6-------------| D|-------------2-4-6-------------------| A|-------2-4-5-------------------------| E|-2-4-5-------------------------------|
Position 6: frets 4 to 9
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|-------------------------------5-7-9-| B|-------------------------5-7-9-------| G|-------------------4-6-7-------------| D|-------------4-6-7-------------------| A|-------4-5-7-------------------------| E|-4-5-7-------------------------------|
Position 7: frets 5 to 10
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|--------------------------------7-9-10-| B|-------------------------7-9-10--------| G|-------------------6-7-9---------------| D|-------------6-7-9---------------------| A|-------5-7-9---------------------------| E|-5-7-9---------------------------------|