‘E sharp dorian’ is the 2nd mode of the D sharp major scale. The notes in E sharp dorian are:
E# – Fx – G# – A# – B# – Cx – D#
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 E sharp dorian using both the parallel approach and the derivative approach.
E Sharp Dorian Mode Using The Parallel Approach
E# Major has the following notes:
E# – Fx – Gx – A# – B# – Cx – Dx
If we flatten the 3rd note (Gx) and the 7th note (Dx) we get the following:
E – Fx – G# – A# – B# – Cx – D#
E# Dorian Mode Using The Derivative Approach
E# is the 2nd note of the D# major scale:
D# – E# – Fx – G# – A# – B# – Cx
If we play the D# Major scale and start on the 2nd note we get the following:
E# – Fx – G# – A#- B# – Cx – D#
Let’s look at the E# dorian mode in the different positions on the guitar fretboard:
E# Dorian in the Open Position
Firstly, let’s look at the open position:
E# Dorian Mode CAGED Positions
Now let’s look at E# dorian in the 5 different CAGED positions along the fretboard.
E# Dorian in the 3rd Position (Lowest Fret is 3)
E# Dorian in the 4th Position (Lowest Fret is 4)
E# Dorian in the 7th Position (Lowest Fret is 7)
E# Dorian in the 10th Position (Lowest Fret is 10)
E# Dorian in the 11th Position (Lowest Fret is 11)
That covers the 5 basic positions and the open position of E# dorian along the guitar fretboard. For an in depth explanation of the dorian mode, check out dorian mode explained.
Further Reading
- D# Major scale (E# Dorian is the second mode of the D# Major scale)
