‘D flat dorian’ is the 2nd mode of the Cb major scale. The notes in Db dorian are:
Db – Eb – Fb – Gb – Ab – Bb – Cb
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 D dorian using both the parallel approach and the derivative approach.
Db Dorian Mode Using The Parallel Approach
Db Major has the following notes:
Db – Eb – F – Gb – Ab – Bb – C
If we flatten the 3rd note (F) and the 7th note (C) we get the following:
Db – Eb – Fb – Gb – Ab – Bb – Cb
Db Dorian Mode Using The Derivative Approach
Db is the 2nd note of the Cb major scale:
Cb – Db – Eb – Fb – Gb – Ab – Bb
If we play the Cb Major scale and start on the 2nd note we get the following:
Db – Eb – Fb – Gb – Ab – Bb – Cbb
Let’s look at the D flat dorian mode in the different positions on the guitar fretboard:
Db Dorian in the Open Position
Firstly, let’s look at the open position:
Db Dorian Mode CAGED Positions
Now let’s look at Db dorian in the 5 different CAGED positions along the fretboard.
Db Dorian in the 3rd Position (Lowest Fret is 1)
Db Dorian in the 6th Position (Lowest Fret is 6)
Db Dorian in the 7th Position (Lowest Fret is 7)
Db Dorian in the 11th Position (Lowest Fret is 11)
Db Dorian in the 12th Position (Lowest Fret is 12)
That covers the 5 basic positions and the open position of Db dorian along the guitar fretboard. For an in depth explanation of the dorian mode, check out dorian mode explained.
Further Reading
- Dbm chord (Dbm Dorian works well over this chord)
- Dbm7 chord (Db Dorian works well over this chord)
- Cb Major scale (Db Dorian is the second mode of the Cb Major scale)
