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Into the Dorian Mode

How to Use The Dorian Mode

Dorian is like any other scale -
it has it's own melodic flavour and can be played over chords and certain progressions. This lesson will not only show you the essential patterns and theory for playing Dorian , but you'll also learn, through the aid of ear training audio and backing tracks, when it sounds good to use. Before you start with the presentation below, make sure you have a basic knowledge of the major scale (as Dorian is one of its modes). So this is not for beginners, but I've tried to break it down as simplistically as possible. A lot of this is about ear training, so you rely less on charts to tell you what to play

The Dorian Mode Theory

First, get to know the intervals of Dorian .
These are the building blocks that give Dorian its unique sound. As a minor scale (1 ♭3 5), it's the major 6th (6) interval that gives it its special quality. So when you correspond the root (1) of the scale with the minor chord you're playing over (e.g. D Dorian over Dm) and emphasise that major 6th, you'll instantly hear Dorian's color.

As Dorian is the 2nd mode of the major scale, you can also use your knowledge of the major scale's patterns to cover more of the fretboard. To do this, simply visualise your major scale root one whole step (or two frets) down from the Dorian root. For example, D Dorian uses the same notes as C major. A Dorian uses the same notes as G major. Dorian and major scale relative roots This way, you only have to spend time learning one scale (the major scale) across the entire fretboard and you'll automatically know its seven modes starting from their related major scale degrees (e.g. 2nd mode Dorian's root is the major scale's 2nd note).