A Dorian Scale on Guitar
The A Dorian scale contains A, B, C, D, E, F# and G — 7 notes. Every position is marked across the whole fretboard below, labelled with note names and with interval numbers, and the tuning of each string can be changed.
| Degree | 1 | 2 | ♭3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | ♭7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | A | B | C | D | E | F# | G |
| Interval | Root | Major 2nd | Minor 3rd | Perfect 4th | Perfect 5th | Major 6th | Minor 7th |
Note names
Interval numbers
Circle of fifths
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the A Dorian scale?
A, B, C, D, E, F# and G. That is 7 notes.
What is the interval pattern of the A Dorian scale?
2-1-2-2-2-1-2, counting in semitones from the root: A to B is 2 semitones, B to C is 1, C to D is 2, D to E is 2, E to F# is 2, F# to G is 1 and G back up to A is 2.
Which chords go with the A Dorian scale?
The triads built from its own notes: Am, Bm, C, D, Em, F#° and G. Those are the chords that will sound consonant over it.
Which major scale is the A Dorian scale a mode of?
G major — A Dorian is its second mode. Both contain the same 7 notes; only the note that feels like home is different.
Which smaller scales fit inside the A Dorian scale?
C Major Pentatonic, E Minor Pentatonic, D Dominant Pentatonic (Mixolydian Pentatonic) and A Minor Sixth Pentatonic. Every note of those is also in the A Dorian scale, so they can be played over it.
Practice this on your own guitar
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