‘F sharp dorian’ is the 2nd mode of the E Major scale. The notes in F sharp dorian are:
F# – G# – A – B – C# – D# – E
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 F# dorian using both the parallel approach and the derivative approach.
F# Dorian Mode Using The Parallel Approach
F# Major has the following notes:
F# – G# – A# – B – C# – D# – E#
If we flatten the 3rd note (A#) and the 7th note (E#) we get the following:
F# – G# – A – B – C# – D# – E
F# Dorian Mode Using The Derivative Approach
F# is the 2nd note of the E Major scale:
E – F# – G# – A – B – C# – D#
If we play the E Major scale and start on the 2nd note we get the following:
F# – G# – A – B – C# – D# – E
Let’s look at the F# dorian mode in the different positions on the guitar fretboard:
F# Dorian in the Open Position
Firstly, let’s look at the open position:
F# Dorian Mode CAGED Positions
Now let’s look at F# dorian in the 5 different CAGED positions along the fretboard.
F# Dorian in the 4th Position (Lowest Fret is 4)
F# Dorian in the 5th Position (Lowest Fret is 5)
F# Dorian in the 8th Position (Lowest Fret is 8)
F# Dorian in the 11th Position (Lowest Fret is 11)
F# Dorian in the 12th Position (Lowest Fret is 12)
That covers the 5 basic positions and the open position of F# dorian along the guitar fretboard. For an in depth explanation of the dorian mode, check out dorian mode explained.
Further Reading
- F#m chord (F# Dorian works well over this chord)
- F#m7 chord (F# Dorian works well over this chord)
- E Major scale (F# Dorian is the second mode of the F# Major scale)
