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