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Scales

B Dorian mode

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

Notes and steps

B1C♯2D♭3E4F♯5G♯6A♭7

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

B Dorian mode on guitar

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

B Dorian mode on the guitar fretboardEF♯G♯ABC♯DEABC♯DEF♯G♯ADEF♯G♯ABC♯DG♯ABC♯DEF♯BC♯DEF♯G♯ABEF♯G♯ABC♯DE357912

B Dorian mode on piano

B Dorian mode on the piano keyboardDEABDEABC♯F♯G♯C♯F♯G♯

Chords in this scale

Other scales from B

The same scale from other notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the B Dorian mode?

B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯, A. 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 (B). 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