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