‘G sharp dorian’ is the 2nd mode of the F# Major scale. The notes in G sharp dorian are:
G# – A# – B – C# – D# – E# – F#
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 G# dorian using both the parallel approach and the derivative approach.
G# Dorian Mode Using The Parallel Approach
G# Major has the following notes:
G# – A# – B# – C# – D# – E# – Fx
If we flatten the 3rd note (B#) and the 7th note (Fx) we get the following:
G# – A# – B – C# – D# – E# – F#
G# Dorian Mode Using The Derivative Approach
G# is the 2nd note of the F# Major scale:
F# – G# – A# – B – C# – D# – E#
If we play the F# Major scale and start on the 2nd note we get the following:
G# – A# – B – C# – D# – E# – F#
Let’s look at the G# dorian mode in the different positions on the guitar fretboard:
G# Dorian in the Open Position
Firstly, let’s look at the open position:
G# Dorian Mode CAGED Positions
Now let’s look at G# dorian in the 5 different CAGED positions along the fretboard.
G# Dorian in the 1st Position (Lowest Fret is 1)
G# Dorian in the 2nd Position (Lowest Fret is 2)
G# Dorian in the 6th Position (Lowest Fret is 6)
G# Dorian in the 7th Position (Lowest Fret is 7)
G# Dorian in the 10th Position (Lowest Fret is 10)
That covers the 5 basic positions and the open position of G# dorian along the guitar fretboard. For an in depth explanation of the dorian mode, check out dorian mode explained.
Further Reading
- G#m chord (G# Dorian works well over this chord)
- G#m7 chord (G# Dorian works well over this chord)
- F# Major scale (G# Dorian is the second mode of the F# Major scale)
