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Scales

A Dorian mode

The A Dorian mode notes: A – B – C – D – E – F♯ – G. Minor with a major 6th. Jazzier and brighter than natural minor; think funk, Latin and modal jazz.

Notes and steps

A1B2C♭3D4E5F♯6G♭7

Steps: W – H – W – W – W – H – W · W = whole step, H = half step

A Dorian mode on guitar

Standard tuning, frets 0–12. Filled circles are the root.

A Dorian mode on the guitar fretboardEF♯GABCDEABCDEF♯GADEF♯GABCDGABCDEF♯GBCDEF♯GABEF♯GABCDE357912

A Dorian mode on piano

A Dorian mode on the piano keyboardCDEGABCDEGABF♯F♯

Chords in this scale

Other scales from A

The same scale from other notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the A Dorian mode?

A, B, C, D, E, F♯, G. Step formula: W–H–W–W–W–H–W (W = whole step, H = half step).

How do I practise it on guitar?

Every circle on the fretboard is a note of the scale up to fret 12; the filled circles mark the root (A). Start in one position (within 4–5 frets), root to root, slowly, with a metronome.

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Photos: Isak Photography, 42 North, Rachel Loughman, Vitaly Gariev, Vitaly Gariev, Isaac Martin / Unsplash