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

‘E dorian’ is the 2nd mode of the D major scale. The notes in E dorian are:

E – F# – G – A – B – C# – 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 dorian using both the parallel approach and the derivative approach.

E Dorian Mode Using The Parallel Approach

E Major has the following notes:

E – F# – G# – A – B – C# – D#

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

E – F# – G – A – B – C# – D

E Dorian Mode Using The Derivative Approach

E is the 2nd note of the D major scale:

D – E – F# – G – A – B – C#

If we play the D Major scale and start on the 2nd note we get the following:

E – F# – G – A – B – C# – 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 Open Position Frets
E Dorian Mode Open Position Notes

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 2nd Position (Lowest Fret is 2)

E Dorian Mode 2nd Position Frets
E Dorian Mode 2nd Position Notes

E Dorian in the 3rd Position (Lowest Fret is 3)

E Dorian Mode 3rd Position Frets
E Dorian Mode 3rd Position Notes

E Dorian in the 6th Position (Lowest Fret is 6)

E Dorian Mode 6th Position Frets
E Dorian Mode 6th Position Notes

E Dorian in the 9th Position (Lowest Fret is 9)

E Dorian Mode 9th Position Frets
E Dorian Mode 9th Position Notes

E Dorian in the 10th Position (Lowest Fret is 10)

E Dorian Mode 10th Position Frets
E Dorian Mode 10th Position Notes

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

  • Em chord (E Dorian works well over this chord)
  • Em7 chord (E Dorian works well over this chord)
  • D Major scale (E Dorian is the second mode of the D Major scale)

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