‘E flat dorian’ is the 2nd mode of the D flat major scale. The notes in Eb dorian are:
Eb – F – Gb – Ab – Bb – C – Db
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.
Eb Dorian Mode Using The Parallel Approach
Eb Major has the following notes:
Eb – F – G – Ab – Bb – C – D
If we flatten the 3rd note (G) and the 7th note (D) we get the following:
Eb – F – Gb – Ab – Bb – C – Db
Eb Dorian Mode Using The Derivative Approach
Eb is the 2nd note of the Db major scale:
Db – Eb – F – Gb – Ab – Bb – C
If we play the Db Major scale and start on the 2nd note we get the following:
Eb – F – Gb – Ab – Bb – C – Db
Let’s look at the Eb dorian mode in the different positions on the guitar fretboard:
Eb Dorian Mode CAGED Positions
There are no notes in Eb dorian that can be played with the open strings (with standard tuning) so there are no ‘open positions’ for Eb dorian.
Let’s look at Eb dorian in the 5 different CAGED positions along the fretboard.
Eb Dorian in the 1st Position (Lowest Fret is 1)
Eb Dorian in the 2nd Position (Lowest Fret is 2)
Eb Dorian in the 5th Position (Lowest Fret is 5)
Eb Dorian in the 8th Position (Lowest Fret is 8)
Eb Dorian in the 9th Position (Lowest Fret is 9)
That covers the 5 basic positions and the open position of Eb dorian along the guitar fretboard. For an in depth explanation of the dorian mode, check out dorian mode explained.
Further Reading
- Ebm chord (Eb Dorian works well over this chord)
- Ebm7 chord (Eb Dorian works well over this chord)
- Db Major scale (Eb Dorian is the second mode of the Db Major scale)
