C Dorian scale on guitar
The C Dorian scale has 7 notes: C, D, E♭, F, G, A and B♭. 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 C 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.
C Dorian across the neck
Every C Dorian note on the first 12 frets in standard tuning. Filled dots are the root, C. A good place to start: C on the A string is at fret 3, so play the notes between frets 2 and 6 first, then move up the neck.
Intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval from C |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | Root |
| 2 | D | Major 2nd |
| ♭3 | E♭ | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | F | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | G | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | A | Major 6th |
| ♭7 | B♭ | Minor 7th |
Chords in C Dorian
Stack every other note of the scale and you get these triads. Any of them will sound “at home” with the C 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 C Dorian scale?
C, D, E♭, F, G, A, B♭. Its formula is 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7.
Where do I start the C Dorian scale on guitar?
C on the A string is at fret 3, so play the notes between frets 2 and 6 first. The fretboard map on this page shows every C Dorian note on the first 12 frets.
What scales are related to C Dorian?
It has the same notes as B♭ major, starting from that scale’s 2nd note.
More scales
Dorian in every key
Other scales from C