Explore scales · Bass
A♭ dorian scale on bass guitar
A♭ dorian contains A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F, and G♭. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 4 for a low-position shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the A♭ dorian scale on bass?
A♭ dorian in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 12 notes across 4 strings, from F on the E string at fret 1 up to C♭ on the G string at fret 4. The root falls on the E string at fret 4 and the G string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 2, 4 | F, G♭, A♭ |
| 3 (A) | 1, 2, 4 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 1 (G) | 1, 3, 4 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
A♭ dorian in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 9 notes across 4 strings, from A♭ on the E string at fret 4 up to D♭ on the G string at fret 6. The root falls on the E string at fret 4 and the D string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 6, 7 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 3 (A) | 4, 6 | D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6 | G♭, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 4, 6 | C♭, D♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
A♭ dorian in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 11 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the E string at fret 6 up to E♭ on the G string at fret 8. The root falls on the D string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 7, 9 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
| 3 (A) | 6, 8, 9 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 1 (G) | 6, 8 | D♭, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 9–11
A♭ dorian in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 11, 8 notes across 4 strings, from D♭ on the E string at fret 9 up to G♭ on the G string at fret 11. The root falls on the A string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 11 | D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (A) | 9, 11 | G♭, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11 | C♭, D♭ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 11 | F, G♭ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
A♭ dorian in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 10 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the E string at fret 11 up to A♭ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the A string at fret 11 and the G string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 13, 14 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 3 (A) | 11, 13, 14 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13 | D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 11, 13 | G♭, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ dorian is the second mode of C♭ major, sharing its key signature of seven flats. It differs from A♭ natural minor by raising the sixth degree from F♭ to F. This major 6th creates a brighter minor sound. Compare it with A♭ natural minor to hear the difference.
When to use it
A♭ dorian fits A♭ minor and A♭ 5th chords, especially in jazz and fusion. It also works over the IV chord D♭ major and the v chord E♭ minor in A♭ minor progressions. Try it over an A♭m–D♭ vamp to hear the raised 6th. A♭ dorian suits lines that need a minor sound with a brighter edge.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. The root sits on string 4, fret 4, keeping the hand in one position across frets 1–4.
Common questions
What notes are in A♭ dorian?
A♭ dorian contains A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F, and G♭. The scale degrees are 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, and ♭7. It is a minor scale with a raised 6th. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does A♭ dorian work over?
A♭ dorian fits A♭ minor and A♭ 5th chords. It also works over D♭ major and E♭ minor in A♭ minor progressions. The raised 6th makes it suitable for modal vamps.
How does A♭ dorian differ from A♭ natural minor?
A♭ dorian raises the sixth degree from F♭ to F. This creates a major 6th interval instead of a minor 6th. The change gives the scale a brighter character.