C♯ dorian scale on bass guitar

C♯ dorian contains C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A♯, and B. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 4 for a compact shape.

Positions on the neck1 of 6

Practice C♯ dorian scale

How it is built

C♯1D♯2E♭3F♯4G♯5A♯6B♭7

Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7

How do you play the C♯ dorian scale on bass?

C♯ dorian in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 8 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to A♯ on the G string at fret 3. No root falls inside this box; it sits between two of them.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (E)	0, 2	E, F♯
3 (A)	1, 2	A♯, B
2 (D)	1, 2	D♯, E
1 (G)	1, 3	G♯, A♯

Box 2 · frets 2–4

C♯ dorian in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 4, 8 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the E string at fret 2 up to B on the G string at fret 4. The root falls on the A string at fret 4.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (E)	2, 4	F♯, G♯
3 (A)	2, 4	B, C♯
2 (D)	2, 4	E, F♯
1 (G)	3, 4	A♯, B

Box 3 · frets 4–7

C♯ dorian in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 10 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the E string at fret 4 up to C♯ on the G string at fret 6. The root falls on the A string at fret 4 and the G string at fret 6.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (E)	4, 6, 7	G♯, A♯, B
3 (A)	4, 6, 7	C♯, D♯, E
2 (D)	4, 6	F♯, G♯
1 (G)	4, 6	B, C♯

Box 4 · frets 6–9

C♯ dorian in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 12 notes across 4 strings, from A♯ on the E string at fret 6 up to E on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the E string at fret 9 and the G string at fret 6.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (E)	6, 7, 9	A♯, B, C♯
3 (A)	6, 7, 9	D♯, E, F♯
2 (D)	6, 8, 9	G♯, A♯, B
1 (G)	6, 8, 9	C♯, D♯, E

Box 5 · frets 9–12

C♯ dorian in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 9 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the E string at fret 9 up to F♯ on the G string at fret 11. The root falls on the E string at fret 9 and the D string at fret 11.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (E)	9, 11, 12	C♯, D♯, E
3 (A)	9, 11	F♯, G♯
2 (D)	9, 11	B, C♯
1 (G)	9, 11	E, F♯

Box 6 · frets 11–14

C♯ dorian in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 11 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the E string at fret 11 up to G♯ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the D string at fret 11.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (E)	11, 12, 14	D♯, E, F♯
3 (A)	11, 13, 14	G♯, A♯, B
2 (D)	11, 13, 14	C♯, D♯, E
1 (G)	11, 13	F♯, G♯

Why it sounds like that

C♯ dorian is the second mode of E major, sharing its key signature of four sharps. It differs from C♯ natural minor by raising the sixth degree from A to A♯. This major 6th gives the scale its characteristic brightness over a minor tonic. Compare it with C♯ natural minor to hear the difference.

When to use it

C♯ dorian fits C♯ minor and C♯ 5th chords, especially in metal and progressive rock. It also works over the IV chord F♯ major and the v chord G♯ minor in C♯ minor progressions. Try it over a C♯m–F♯ vamp to hear the raised 6th. C♯ 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 3, fret 4, keeping the hand in one position across frets 0–3.

Common questions

What notes are in C♯ dorian?

C♯ dorian contains C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A♯, and B. 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 D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.

Which chords does C♯ dorian work over?

C♯ dorian fits C♯ minor and C♯ 5th chords. It also works over F♯ major and G♯ minor in C♯ minor progressions. The raised 6th makes it suitable for modal vamps.

How does C♯ dorian differ from C♯ natural minor?

C♯ dorian raises the sixth degree from A to A♯. This creates a major 6th interval instead of a minor 6th. The change gives the scale a brighter character.