Dorian Scale for Jazz Guitar Playing

Dorian scale- is the second chord in a Major key. This scale when functioning as a IIm, takes its notes from the IMaj chord or it can be built as the root of the chord e.g. Dm. These notes from the scale can be built vertically or horizontally.

Notes of the scale:

Scale-D,E,F,G,A,B,C,

Numerals and positions used in the scale:

1 3 5 b7 9 11 13

D, F, A, C, E, G, B,

Chords belonging to the scale:

Dm=IMaj=D,F,A

F=b3Maj=F,A,C,

Am=5m=A,C,E,

C=b7=C,E,G,

Em=9=E,G,B,

G=11=G,B,D,

Bdim13=B,D,F

Triads belonging to the scale:

Dm=1

F=b3

Am=5m

C=b7

Em=9

G=11

Bdim=13

Combining Triadsfrom the scale

The theory is the same when we form the basic chords, use the root or its inversions e.g.Dm, to get the basic chord then use the basic diatonic triads to fit most importantly the melody note. We will now try work out some basic chords and and its diatonic triads. Remember to use the basic chord tones for the roots:

Dm= Root chord Dm7+DmDm7= Root(D,F,A,c,) + F triadDm9= Root + AmDm11= Root + CDm13= Root + EmDm13= Root + GDm13= Root + Bdim

All the triads in the diatonic cords can be inverted to fit the melody notes, remember that in jazz, it is the melody note that dictates everything. If you need to you can use the Root, 1st inversion, or 2nd inversion of the triads to fit the melody note or make the melody, a 1,3 or 5 of the diatonic triads.

Beware the b9 intervals

The theory of b9 intervals apply to every scale. In the Dm Dorian scale the b9 intervals are:

Dm avoid b9= C-B,F-E

Em avoid b9= C-B,F-E

Am avoid b9= C-B,F-E

The best triads to use to show the characteristics of the scale is the Dm-G chords over the D bass note.Remember this Dm-G is taken from the key of CMajor. Dm functions as the IIm chord of CMaj and it is called the famous II-V of the key of the moment.

You could try playing an F-G triad over a Dm7 chord and observe the unique Dorian scale sound.

Interesting we will now tackle the Phrygian Scale

click to go to Phrygian Scale

back to top of Dorian Scale

back to Ultimate Guitar Homepage