The Dorian Mode Back to Modes
The Dorian mode originates from the 2nd degree of the major scale eg. D to D in C major. Its scale degrees are R (root) 2 b3 4 5 6 b7. Due to its b3 the Dorian mode is a minor scale and in Rock, Pop, Jazz and Blues, Dorian is the most commonly used minor mode. The real character of the Dorian mode comes from its major 6th degree. This note is normally associated with major modes and sounds unusual in a minor scale. It has a distinct sounding quality which can be mystical and magical eg. Breathe by Pink Floyd, or folk tunes such as Scarborough Fair. It can also sound distinctly funky: Intro of Always on the Run by Lenny Kravitz. When played in a blues context the major 6th has a ‘sweet’ sounding quality; BB King and Robben Ford are well known for their use of the major 6th within the minor pentatonic scale
Using the key of A Dorian (A B C D E F# G), we will now link this mode to how we play the 5 positions of the A minor pentatonic scale (A C D E G).
The notes of the minor pentatonic scale exist inside the Dorian Mode and it can be helpful to see this clearly so firstly learn to play the 5 pentatonic shapes below. The ‘A’ root notes are black and other scale degrees are red with the scale degree number inside them. Fret numbers are indicated to the left of each diagram. Next, ‘pin’ the Dorian scale patterns onto the pentatonic ones and practice them one by one.
