Explore scales · Guitar
A dorian scale on guitar
A dorian uses A, B, C, D, E, F♯, and G. Box 1 keeps the root on string 6, fret 5 for a low anchor.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the A dorian scale on guitar?
A dorian in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 16 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 0 and the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 1, 3 | B, C, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
A dorian in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 17 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5, the G string at fret 2 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 5 (A) | 2, 3, 5 | B, C, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4, 5 | A, B, C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5 | D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
A dorian in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 15 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5, the D string at fret 7 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 3 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7, 8 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
A dorian in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 17 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the D string at fret 7 and the B string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9, 10 | E, F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8, 10 | F♯, G, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
A dorian in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 13 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 12 and the B string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 3 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12, 13 | A, B, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12 | D, E |
Why it sounds like that
A dorian is A natural minor with the sixth raised from F to F♯. The pattern is W, H, W, W, W, H, W, giving intervals 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7. Compare it with A natural minor to hear the brightened sixth.
When to use it
A dorian fits A minor and A 5th chords. Use it over vamps in A minor, modal rock, and funk lines. The F♯ adds a major sixth colour that natural minor lacks.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 6, fret 5, covering frets 0–3 and setting up Box 2.
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, ♭7. It differs from A natural minor by one note: F♯ instead of F.
Which chords work with A dorian?
A dorian works over A minor and A 5th chords. The raised sixth, F♯, fits the ii chord B minor and the IV chord D major. Avoid chords that clash with the F♯.
What is the difference between A dorian and A natural minor?
A dorian raises the sixth degree from F to F♯. This changes the scale's colour from minor to a brighter, modal sound. The rest of the notes remain the same.