‘A dorian’ is the 2nd mode of the G major scale. The notes in A dorian are:
A – B – C – D – E – F# – G
If you have read the post on understanding the dorian mode, you will know that the dorian mode contains a flat 3 and a flat 7 (parallel approach). You will also know that it is the 2nd mode of a major scale (derivative approach). Let’s briefly look at how to construct A dorian using both the parallel approach and the derivative approach.
Parallel Approach:
A Major has the following notes:
A – B – C# – D – E – F# – G#
If we flatten the 3rd note (C#) and the 7th note (G#) we get the following:
A – B – C – D – E – F# – G
Derivative Approach:
A is the 2nd note of a G major scale:
G – A – B – C – D – E – F#
If we play a G major scale and start on the 2nd note we get the following:
A – B – C – D – E – F# – G
Positions Along the Fretboard:
Let’s look at the A dorian mode in the different positions on the guitar fretboard:
Firstly, let’s look at the open position:
Now let’s look at A dorian in the 2nd position (lowest fret is 2)
Now let’s look at A dorian in the 3rd position (lowest fret is 3)
Now let’s look at A dorian in the 7th position (lowest fret is 7)
Now let’s look at A dorian in the 8th position (lowest fret is 8)
And Finally let’s look at A dorian in the 11th position (lowest fret is 11)
That covers the 5 basic positions and the open position of A dorian along the guitar fretboard.
For an in depth explanation of the dorian mode, check out dorian mode explained.
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