fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON BASS GUITAR

D Dorian

Minor with a raised 6th — the wistful folk / modal-jazz mode. So Long, Marianne; Eleanor Rigby; modal jazz on m7 chords.

MEIMIDIHumdrum
Choose a root
Tempo120 bpm

Playback sounds an octave below the written notation — the instrument's concert (sounding) pitch.

Audio source: tonejs-instruments by Nick Brosowsky (MIT)

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 5 title D Dorian Verovio
Tuning
FretboardTuning: EADGBE
35791215EADGBEEFGABCDEFGABCDEFGABCDEFGABCDEFGABCDEFGABCDEFGABCDEFGABCDEFG
Related scales
Diatonic chord harmonisation
Same scale, other instruments
Same scale, other tonics
Modes built on this tonic
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Theory reference
Questions
What notes are in the D Dorian scale?

The D Dorian scale uses the notes D, E, F, G, A, B, C (one octave; the pattern repeats at higher registers).

What's the Dorian scale formula?

The Dorian scale follows the interval pattern W H W W W H W, where W = whole step (2 semitones) and H = half step (1 semitone). Apply that pattern starting on D to get the D Dorian scale.

What chords work over D Dorian?

Dorian works over m7 chords and the minor-mode 'modal jazz' II–V–I substitute. Think 'So What' over D Dorian.

How do I finger D Dorian on Bass Guitar?

On bass, scales follow the same position-pattern logic as guitar but with two-notes-per-string most often. Walking-bass-line construction draws on chord-tone-arpeggiation through the scale; see /walking-bass for the standalone surface (once it ships).

When would I use the Dorian scale?

Minor with a raised 6th — the wistful folk / modal-jazz mode. So Long, Marianne; Eleanor Rigby; modal jazz on m7 chords.