Explore scales · Ukulele
E♭ dorian scale on ukulele
E♭ dorian uses E♭, F, G♭, A♭, B♭, C, D♭. Its raised sixth separates it from E♭ natural minor.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the E♭ dorian scale on ukulele?
E♭ dorian in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 9 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the C string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 3 | A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1, 3 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 2 | F, G♭ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
E♭ dorian in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the C string at fret 3 up to E♭ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the C string at fret 3 and the A string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5, 6 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
E♭ dorian in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F on the C string at fret 5 up to F on the A string at fret 8. The root falls on the G string at fret 8 and the A string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 6, 8 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 6, 8 | F, G♭, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
E♭ dorian in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 11 notes across 4 strings, from A♭ on the C string at fret 8 up to A♭ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the G string at fret 8 and the E string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 10, 11 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 10 | A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 9, 11 | F, G♭, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
E♭ dorian is the second mode of D♭ major, sharing the same notes but centering on E♭. The raised C distinguishes it from E♭ natural minor, whose sixth is C♭. This major sixth gives the scale its characteristic brightness over a minor tonic.
When to use it
E♭ dorian fits E♭ minor and E♭ 5th chords, and works over progressions like E♭m–D♭–A♭. Its major sixth suits jazz and soul lines. Try it over E♭ minor or E♭ 5th.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits at string 3, fret 3 and string 1, fret 6, covering frets 0–3.
Common questions
Which notes are in E♭ dorian?
E♭ dorian contains E♭, F, G♭, A♭, B♭, C, and D♭. The C is the major sixth that separates it from E♭ natural minor. Use these notes over E♭ minor chords. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What chords does E♭ dorian work over?
E♭ dorian works over E♭ minor and E♭ 5th chords. It also fits progressions using D♭ major and A♭ major. The scale's major sixth adds brightness to minor vamps.
How does E♭ dorian differ from E♭ natural minor?
E♭ dorian raises the sixth degree from C♭ to C. This single change creates a major sixth interval from the tonic. The raised sixth gives the scale its characteristic brightness.