C Dorian Mode

What is the C Dorian Mode?

Dorian is the second mode of the major scale and sounds like a minor scale with a brighter edge, thanks to its natural 6th degree. That single raised note gives it a sophisticated, less heavy quality you can hear in everything from Miles Davis's "So What" to Carlos Santana's lead work. Here's how the C Dorian Mode lays out on the fretboard.

Notes and Positions

The second mode - minor with a raised 6th. Jazz and funk favorite. On guitar, the same scale tones repeat in multiple positions, so the real goal is learning how to connect shapes up and down the neck. Use the CAGED boxes as smaller practice areas before linking the full fretboard. In the key of C, the notes are: C, D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb.

How to Use It

You'll often hear it in Jazz, Funk, Rock, and Latin. A good way to internalize the sound is to sing the root, then sing a few scale degrees before you play them.

Loop a simple backing track in the same key and target the root on strong beats. Use the interactive fretboard above to spot repeats of the same note on different strings and frets.