About the D Dorian Scale
The D dorian scale is a 7-note scale. Minor scale with raised 6th, jazzy sound. Its notes are D, E, F, G, A, B and C, built from the formula 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7.
- Notes
- D – E – F – G – A – B – C
- Formula
- 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7
- Steps
- W H W W W H W (2–1–2–2–2–1–2 semitones)
- Root
- D
D Dorian Scale degrees and intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | Root |
| 2 | E | Major 2nd |
| ♭3 | F | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | G | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | A | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | B | Major 6th |
| ♭7 | C | Minor 7th |
Where to play the D Dorian Scale on bass
Frets 0–12 in standard tuning (E A D G), lowest string first. Root notes (D) are highlighted; the pattern repeats from the 12th fret up.
| String | Frets |
|---|---|
| E1 | 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12 |
| A1 | 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12 |
| D2 | 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12 |
| G2 | 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12 |
How to practice the dorian scale
- Highlight the natural 6th degree
- Practice over minor 7th vamps
- Work on jazz-style phrasing
- Try Santana-style melodic lines
- Compare with natural minor to hear difference
Scales with the same notes as D Dorian Scale
These scales share every note with the D dorian scale but start from a different root, so the same shapes work over different chords.
Dorian scale in other keys
Other scales in D
- D Minor Pentatonic
- D Major Pentatonic
- D Mixolydian Pentatonic
- D Natural Minor
- D Major (Ionian)
- D Blues
- D Mixolydian
- D Phrygian
- D Harmonic Minor
- D Lydian
- D Locrian
- D Diminished (Half-Whole)
- D Diminished (Whole-Half)
- D Whole Tone
- D Augmented (Hexatonic)
- D Altered (Super Locrian)
- D Phrygian Dominant
- D Lydian Dominant
- D Mixolydian ♭6 (Hindu)
- D Bebop Dominant
- D Quartal (Stacked 4ths)
- D Quartal Minor (Stacked 4ths)