D Dorian Scale on Guitar
The D Dorian scale contains D, E, F, G, A, B and C — 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 | D | E | F | G | A | B | C |
| 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 D Dorian scale?
D, E, F, G, A, B and C. That is 7 notes.
What is the interval pattern of the D Dorian scale?
2-1-2-2-2-1-2, counting in semitones from the root: D to E is 2 semitones, E to F is 1, F to G is 2, G to A is 2, A to B is 2, B to C is 1 and C back up to D is 2.
Which chords go with the D Dorian scale?
The triads built from its own notes: Dm, Em, F, G, Am, B° and C. Those are the chords that will sound consonant over it.
Which major scale is the D Dorian scale a mode of?
C major — D 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 D Dorian scale?
C Major Pentatonic, D Minor Pentatonic, G Dominant Pentatonic (Mixolydian Pentatonic) and D Minor Sixth Pentatonic. Every note of those is also in the D Dorian scale, so they can be played over it.
Practice this on your own guitar
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