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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 2 for a low anchor.
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 0 to fret 2, 12 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 low E string at fret 2 and the high e string at fret 2.
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) | 1, 2 | D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 1, 2 | G♯, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
F♯ dorian in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 15 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 2, the D string at fret 4 and the high e string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 4, 5 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
F♯ 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 D string at fret 4 and the B 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, 6, 7 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 5, 7 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
F♯ dorian in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 13 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to C♯ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the A string at fret 9 and the B string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 3 (G) | 8, 9 | D♯, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 9, 10 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
F♯ dorian in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 16 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 A string at fret 9 and the G string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11, 12 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 10, 12 | G♯, A, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
F♯ dorian in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 17 notes across 6 strings, from D♯ on the low E string at fret 11 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 14. The root falls on the low E string at fret 14, the G string at fret 11 and the high e string at fret 14.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 11, 12, 14 | G♯, A, B |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13, 14 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 2 (B) | 12, 14 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 12, 14 | 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 2, covering frets 0–2 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. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
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.