‘B sharp dorian’ is the 2nd mode of the A sharp Major scale. The notes in B# dorian are:
B# – Cx – D# – E# – Fx – Gx – A#
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 B# dorian using both the parallel approach and the derivative approach.
B Sharp Dorian Mode Using The Parallel Approach
B# Major has the following notes:
B# – Cx – Dx – E# – Fx – Gx – Ax
If we flatten the 3rd note (Dx) and the 7th note (Ax) we get the following:
B# – Cx – D# – E# – Fx – Gx – A#
B Sharp Dorian Mode Using The Derivative Approach
B# is the 2nd note of the A# major scale:
A# – B# – Cx – D# – E# – Fx – Gx
If we play an A# major scale and start on the 2nd note we get the following:
B# – Cx – D# – E# – Fx – Gx – A#
Let’s look at the B# dorian mode in the different positions on the guitar fretboard:
B Sharp Dorian CAGED Positions
Let’s look at B# dorian in the 5 different CAGED positions along the fretboard.
B# Dorian in the 2nd Position (Lowest Fret is 2)
B# Dorian in the 5th Position (Lowest Fret is 5)
B# Dorian in the 6th Position (Lowest Fret is 6)
B# Dorian in the 10th Position (Lowest Fret is 10)
B# Dorian in the 11th Position (Lowest Fret is 11)
That covers the 5 basic positions and the open position of B# dorian along the guitar fretboard. For an in depth explanation of the dorian mode, check out dorian mode explained.
Further Reading
- Cm chord (B# Dorian works well over this chord)
- Cm7 chord (B# Dorian works well over this chord)
- A# Major scale (B# Dorian is the second mode of the A# Major scale)
