B Dorian Mode on the Guitar – 5 CAGED Positions, Tabs and Theory

‘B dorian’ is the 2nd mode of the A major scale. The notes in B dorian are:

B – C# – D – E – F# – G# – A

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 B dorian using both the parallel approach and the derivative approach.

B Dorian Mode Using The Parallel Approach

B major has the following notes:

B – C# – D# – E – F# – G# – A#

If we flatten the 3rd note (D#) and the 7th note (A#) we get the following:

B – C# – D – E – F# – G# – A

B Dorian Mode Using The Derivative Approach

B is the 2nd note of an A major scale:

A – B – C# – D – E – F# – G#

If we play the A Major scale and start on the 2nd note we get the following:

B – C# – D – E – F# – G# – A

B Dorian in the Open Position

Firstly, let’s look at B dorian in the open position:

B Dorian Mode Open Position Frets
B Dorian Mode Open Position Notes

B Dorian CAGED Positions

Now let’s look at B dorian in the 5 different CAGED positions along the fretboard.

B Dorian in the 1st Position (Lowest Fret is 1)

B Dorian Mode 1st Position Frets
B Dorian Mode 1st Position Notes

B Dorian in the 4th Position (Lowest Fret is 4)

B Dorian Mode 4th Position Frets
B Dorian Mode 4th Position Notes

B Dorian in the 5th Position (Lowest Fret is 5)

B Dorian Mode 5th Position Frets
B Dorian Mode 5th Position Notes

B Dorian in the 9th Position (Lowest Fret is 9)

B Dorian Mode 9th Position Frets
B Dorian Mode 9th Position Notes

B Dorian in the 10th Position (Lowest Fret is 10)

B Dorian Mode 10th Position Frets
B Dorian Mode 10th Position Notes

That covers the 5 basic positions and the open position of Ab dorian along the guitar fretboard. For an in depth explanation of the dorian mode, check out dorian mode explained.

Further Reading

  • Bm chord (B Dorian works well over this chord)
  • Bm7 chord (B Dorian works well over this chord)
  • A Major scale (B Dorian is the second mode of the Gb Major scale)

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