Scale · 7 notes
C Dorian scale — guitar notes & shapes
The C Dorian scale is C, D, E♭, F, G, A, B♭. Dorian is a minor mode with a major 6th. That one raised note makes it brighter than natural minor — jazzy, soulful and great over m7 chords.
On the fretboard
Red = root (C). High e string on top, like tab. Numbers show the scale degree.
Notes and formula
| Degree | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | root |
| 2 | D | major 2nd |
| ♭3 | E♭ | minor 3rd |
| 4 | F | perfect 4th |
| 5 | G | perfect 5th |
| 6 | A | major 6th |
| ♭7 | B♭ | minor 7th |
Steps: W H W W W H W (W = whole step, H = half step).
Chords in the scale
Home key: Cm.
Sound, styles and practice
Styles: Funk, jazz, Latin rock, soul and modal jams.
- Add the major 6th to your minor pentatonic licks.
- Vamp on two chords: i m7 and IV7.
- Compare it with natural minor on the same root.
Go further with guitar scales for beginners and how to improvise.
FAQ
- What notes are in the C Dorian scale?
- C Dorian: C, D, E♭, F, G, A, B♭.
- Where do I play C Dorian on the guitar?
- The easiest place is around fret 8, where C sits on the low E string (highlighted in the diagram). The same pattern repeats 12 frets higher.