‘D sharp dorian’ is the 2nd mode of the C# Major scale. The notes in D# dorian are:
D# – E# – F# – G# – A# – B# – C#
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.
D# Dorian Mode Using The Parallel Approach
D# Major has the following notes:
D# – E# – Fx – G# – A# – B# – Cx
If we flatten the 3rd note (Fx) and the 7th note (Cx) we get the following:
D# – E# – F# – G# – A# – B# – C#
D# Dorian Mode Using The Derivative Approach
D# is the 2nd note of the C# Major scale:
C# – D# – E# – F# – G# – A# – B
If we play the C# Major scale and start on the 2nd note we get the following:
D# – E# – F# – G# – A# – B# – C#
D# Dorian Mode CAGED Positions
Let’s look at D# dorian in the 5 different CAGED positions along the fretboard.
D# Dorian in the 1st Position (Lowest Fret is 1)
D# Dorian in the 2nd Position (Lowest Fret is 2)
D# Dorian in the 5th Position (Lowest Fret is 5)
D# Dorian in the 8th Position (Lowest Fret is 8)
D# Dorian in the 9th Position (Lowest Fret is 9)
That covers the 5 basic positions and the open position of D# dorian along the guitar fretboard. For an in depth explanation of the dorian mode, check out dorian mode explained.
Further Reading
- D#m chord (D# Dorian works well over this chord)
- D#m7 chord (D# Dorian works well over this chord)
- C# Major scale (D# Dorian is the second mode of the C# Major scale)
