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

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

A# – B# – C# – D# – E# – Fx – 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.

A Sharp Dorian Mode Using The Parallel Approach

A# major has the following notes:

A# – B# – Cx – D# – E# – Fx – Gx

If we flatten the 3rd note (Cx) and the 7th note (Gx) we get the following:

A# – B# – C# – D# – E# – Fx – F#

A Sharp Dorian Mode Using The Derivative Approach

A# is the 2nd note of the G# major scale:

G# – A# – B# – C# – D# – E# – Fx

If we play a G# major scale and start on the 2nd note we get the following:

A# – B# – C# – D# – E# – Fx – F#

Let’s look at the A# dorian mode in the different positions on the guitar fretboard:

A# Dorian in the Open Position

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

A Sharp Dorian Mode Open Position Frets
A Sharp Dorian Mode Open Position Notes

A# Dorian CAGED Positions

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

A# Dorian in the 3rd Position (Lowest Fret is 3)

A Sharp Dorian Mode 3rd Position Frets
A Sharp Dorian Mode 3rd Position Notes

A# Dorian in the 4th Position (Lowest Fret is 4)

A Sharp Dorian Mode 4th Position Frets
A Sharp Dorian Mode 4th Position Notes

A# Dorian in the 8th Position (Lowest Fret is 8)

A Sharp Dorian Mode 8th Position Frets
A Sharp Dorian Mode 8th Position Notes

A# Dorian in the 3rd Position (Lowest Fret is 3)

A Sharp Dorian Mode 9th Position Frets
A Sharp Dorian Mode 9th Position Notes

A# Dorian in the 12th Position (Lowest Fret is 12)

A Sharp Dorian Mode 12th Position Frets
A Sharp Dorian Mode 12th Position Notes

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.

Further Reading

  • A# chord (A# Dorian works well over this chord)
  • A#m7 chord (A# Dorian works well over this chord)
  • G# Major scale (A# Dorian is the second mode of the G# Major scale)

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