D Dorian Mode on Guitar

The D Dorian Mode is a 7-note scale (jazzy, funky) built from the formula 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7. Its notes are D E F G A B C. Below you'll find the scale on the whole fretboard, the chords that belong to it and related scales — open it in the interactive fretboard for 3NPS, CAGED and pentatonic box patterns with playback.

Notes and intervals

DegreeNoteInterval
1Droot
2EMajor 2nd
♭3FMinor 3rd
4GPerfect 4th
5APerfect 5th
6BMajor 6th
♭7CMinor 7th

Steps: W – H – W – W – W – H – W (W = whole step, H = half step)

D Dorian Mode on the fretboard (15 frets)

D Dorian Mode – guitar fretboardEADGBEE2F♭3G4A5B6C♭7D1E2F♭3G4A5B6C♭7D1E2F♭3G4A5B6C♭7D1E2F♭3G4A5B6C♭7D1E2F♭3G4A5B6C♭7D1E2F♭3G4A5B6C♭7D1E2F♭3G4A5B6C♭7D1E2F♭3G4A5B6C♭7D1E2F♭3G4123456789101112131415

Standard tuning E A D G B E. Pink = root, purple = characteristic notes. 3NPS, CAGED and box patterns plus other tunings are in the interactive fretboard.

Chords in the scale

Modes with the same notes

Other scales from D

Dorian in other keys

FAQ

What notes are in the D Dorian Mode?
The D Dorian Mode has 7 notes: D, E, F, G, A, B, C. Its formula is 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7.
What intervals make up the D Dorian Mode?
Step pattern: W – H – W – W – W – H – W (W = whole step, H = half step). Intervals from the root: 2 (Major 2nd), ♭3 (Minor 3rd), 4 (Perfect 4th), 5 (Perfect 5th), 6 (Major 6th), ♭7 (Minor 7th).
What chords are in the D Dorian Mode?
Triads: Dm, Em, F, G, Am, B°, C. Seventh chords: Dm7, Em7, Fmaj7, G7, Am7, Bm7♭5, Cmaj7.