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 4, so play the notes between frets 3 and 7 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 4, so play the notes between frets 3 and 7 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♯