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

‘F sharp dorian’ is the 2nd mode of the E Major scale. The notes in F sharp dorian are:

F# – G# – A – B – C# – D# – E

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 the major scale (derivative approach). Let’s briefly look at how to construct F# dorian using both the parallel approach and the derivative approach.

F# Dorian Mode Using The Parallel Approach

F# Major has the following notes:

F# – G# – A# – B – C# – D# – E#

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

F# – G# – A – B – C# – D# – E

F# Dorian Mode Using The Derivative Approach

F# is the 2nd note of the E Major scale:

E – F# – G# – A – B – C# – D#

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

F# – G# – A – B – C# – D# – E

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

F# Dorian in the Open Position

Firstly, let’s look at the open position:

F Sharp Dorian Mode Open Position Frets
F Sharp Dorian Mode Open Position Notes

F# Dorian Mode CAGED Positions

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

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

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

F# Dorian in the 5th Position (Lowest Fret is 5)

F Sharp Dorian Mode 5th Position Frets
F Sharp Dorian Mode 5th Position Notes

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

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

 

F# Dorian in the 11th Position (Lowest Fret is 11)

F Sharp Dorian Mode 11th Position Frets
F Sharp Dorian Mode 11th Position Notes

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

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

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

Further Reading

  • F#m chord (F# Dorian works well over this chord)
  • F#m7 chord (F# Dorian works well over this chord)
  • E Major scale (F# Dorian is the second mode of the F# Major scale)

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