Dorian Scale Mode
Guitar Minor Pentatonic Scale inside Dorian Scale Mode – Right & Left Handed
Guitar Minor Pentatonic Scale inside the Dorian Scale Mode. E Dorian Mode is the 2th (ii) degree of D Ionian (Major) Scale. The Dorian Mode has a Minor 3rd Interval making it a minor sounding mode. The only difference in sound between the Ionian (Major) and the Dorian Mode. The is the Major 3 and Major 7 is moved down a half step to the b3 (Minor 3rd interval) and b7 (Minor 7th Interval).
If you are doing ear training the Dorian Scale Mode can sometimes be mistaken for the Aeolian Minor Mode. Proper ear training helps to hear the subtle difference moving down those half step notes.
Another big confusion with modes in the beginning. The G Ionian (Major) and D Dorian are the same key. Parallel modes played off of the same tonal center, E Ionian (Major) and G Dorian are two different keys.
E Minor Pentatonic Scale (1, b3, 4, 5, b7) inside the Dorian Scale Mode (1, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, b7) is missing the 2nd and the 6th Interval to make it Pentatonic. This is one of the more common pentatonic scales used in rock and blues. The E open position gives the scale a lot of unique possibilities to explore hammer and pull off open licks. This position sits right on top of the E (I IV V) (E-A-B) open blues chord progression. Phrasing riffs between rhythm and lead is very common.
All the above guitar scale diagrams were created with Guitar Analyzer Publisher Edition Software
The guitar scales fret-board diagrams shown below display the D Dorian Scale Mode. The Dorian Scale Mode is the 2nd degree of the Major Scale (Ionian Mode). In playing scales on guitar the big confusion of understanding major scale modes is that people think your playing in another scale. It is the same scale of the major scale but your start note is the second note of the major scale and ends in the second note of the next octave. The D Dorian for example is still the C Major Scale. The root note is outlined by the note in the square of the guitar scales fretboard diagrams.
The scale formula of the Dorian Scale is (1, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, b7). The minor 3rd (b3) of the scale makes it a minor sounding scale. The only difference between Dorian Scale and The Natural Minor Scale (Aeolian Mode) is the raised Major 6 (6th) from a Minor 6 (b6).
The Dorian Scale has unique tonal personality which reminds me of the background music in a western movie like a cowboy riding off in the sunset. The guitar fret-board fingering diagrams below show the intervals, notes, and finger placement for 2 octave fingerings. Practice these fingering and carefully listen to the sound while you play the notes and really hear what the Dorian Scale sounds like. Related Post > Understand Major Scale Modes
