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