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Scales

D Dorian mode

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

Notes and steps

D1E2F♭3G4A5B6C♭7

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

D Dorian mode on guitar

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

D Dorian mode on the guitar fretboardEFGABCDEABCDEFGADEFGABCDGABCDEFGBCDEFGABEFGABCDE357912

D Dorian mode on piano

D Dorian mode on the piano keyboardCDEFGABCDEFGAB

Chords in this scale

Other scales from D

The same scale from other notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the D Dorian mode?

D, E, F, G, A, B, C. 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 (D). 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