C 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:
- C, D, E♭, F, G, A, B♭.
- 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 A. 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 B♭ major scale, but starts on C.
Which chords to play it over
Play it over a long C minor 7 chord, or over the Cm, F, Cm, F vamp. Land on A: 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 8 to 13
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|------------------------------------------10-11-13-| B|---------------------------------10-11-13----------| G|-------------------------8-10-12-------------------| D|-----------------8-10-12---------------------------| A|---------8-10-12-----------------------------------| E|-8-10-11-------------------------------------------|
Position 2: frets 10 to 15
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|----------------------------------------------11-13-15-| B|-------------------------------------11-13-15----------| G|----------------------------10-12-14-------------------| D|-------------------10-12-13----------------------------| A|----------10-12-13-------------------------------------| E|-10-11-13----------------------------------------------|
Position 3: frets 11 to 17
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|----------------------------------------------13-15-17-| B|-------------------------------------13-15-16----------| G|----------------------------12-14-15-------------------| D|-------------------12-13-15----------------------------| A|----------12-13-15-------------------------------------| E|-11-13-15----------------------------------------------|
Position 4: frets 1 to 6
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|-------------------------------3-5-6-| B|-------------------------3-4-6-------| G|-------------------2-3-5-------------| D|-------------1-3-5-------------------| A|-------1-3-5-------------------------| E|-1-3-5-------------------------------|
Position 5: frets 3 to 8
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|-------------------------------5-6-8-| B|-------------------------4-6-8-------| G|-------------------3-5-7-------------| D|-------------3-5-7-------------------| A|-------3-5-6-------------------------| E|-3-5-6-------------------------------|
Position 6: frets 5 to 10
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|--------------------------------6-8-10-| B|-------------------------6-8-10--------| G|-------------------5-7-8---------------| D|-------------5-7-8---------------------| A|-------5-6-8---------------------------| E|-5-6-8---------------------------------|
Position 7: frets 6 to 11
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|-------------------------------------8-10-11-| B|-----------------------------8-10-11---------| G|----------------------7-8-10-----------------| D|---------------7-8-10------------------------| A|--------6-8-10-------------------------------| E|-6-8-10--------------------------------------|