fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON GUITAR

B Dorian

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

MEIMIDIHumdrum
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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 B Dorian Verovio
Tuning
FretboardTuning: DGCFAD
35791215DGCFADDEF♯G♯ABC♯DEG♯ABC♯DEF♯G♯AC♯DEF♯G♯ABC♯DF♯G♯ABC♯DEF♯G♯ABC♯DEF♯G♯ABDEF♯G♯ABC♯DE
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 B Dorian scale?

The B Dorian scale uses the notes B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯, A (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 B to get the B Dorian scale.

What chords work over B 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 B Dorian on Guitar?

On guitar, scales are typically learned as position patterns — three- or four-notes-per-string shapes that move up the neck. The CAGED system positions each scale in five interconnected patterns; the three-notes-per-string approach simplifies modal scales.

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.