C Sharp Dorian Mode on the Guitar - 5 CAGED Positions, Tabs and Theory

‘C sharp dorian’ is the 2nd mode of the B major scale. The notes in C# dorian are:

C# – D# – E – F# – G# – A# – B

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 C# dorian using both the parallel approach and the derivative approach.

C Sharp Dorian Mode Using The Parallel Approach

C# Major has the following notes:

C# – D# – E# – F# – G# – A# – B#

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

C# – D# – E – F# – G# – A# – B

C Sharp Dorian Mode Using The Derivative Approach

C# is the 2nd note of the B major scale:

B – C# – D# – E – F# – G# – A#

If we play a B major scale and start on the 2nd note we get the following:

B – C# – D# – E – F# – G# – A#

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

C# Dorian in the Open Position

Firstly, let’s look at C# dorian in the open position:

C# Dorian CAGED Positions

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

C# Dorian in the 3rd Position (Lowest Fret is 3)

C# Dorian in the 6th Position (Lowest Fret is 6)

C# Dorian in the 7th Position (Lowest Fret is 7)

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

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

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

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