A Dorian scale on guitar
The A Dorian scale has 7 notes: A, B, C, D, E, F♯ and G. A minor scale with a raised 6th. That one note makes it brighter and jazzier than natural minor; it is common in funk, jazz, rock jams and folk.
Notes in A Dorian
- Formula
- 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7
- Step pattern
- W – H – W – W – W – H – W
- Notes
- 7
Tap a note to hear it.
A Dorian across the neck
Every A Dorian note on the first 12 frets in standard tuning. Filled dots are the root, A. A good place to start: A on the low E string is at fret 5, so play the notes between frets 4 and 8 first, then move up the neck.
Intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval from A |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Root |
| 2 | B | Major 2nd |
| ♭3 | C | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | D | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | E | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | F♯ | Major 6th |
| ♭7 | G | Minor 7th |
Chords in A Dorian
Stack every other note of the scale and you get these triads. Any of them will sound “at home” with the A Dorian scale.
H = half step (1 fret), W = whole step (2 frets). Roman numerals: uppercase is major, lowercase is minor, ° is diminished, + is augmented.
Related scales
Questions
What notes are in the A Dorian scale?
A, B, C, D, E, F♯, G. Its formula is 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7.
Where do I start the A Dorian scale on guitar?
A on the low E string is at fret 5, so play the notes between frets 4 and 8 first. The fretboard map on this page shows every A Dorian note on the first 12 frets.
What scales are related to A Dorian?
It has the same notes as G major, starting from that scale’s 2nd note.
More scales
Dorian in every key
Other scales from A