C Dorian #4 Bass Scale
Bass scale — fretboard diagram
C Dorian #4 Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C Dorian #4 scale, known in Eastern Europe as the Ukrainian Dorian or Misheberak, has a deeply soulful, crying quality. On Bass, the notes are C, D, Eb, F#, G, A, Bb. It is a pillar of Jewish Klezmer music and traditional Balkan folk songs. Commonly used in Klezmer, Balkan Folk, Metal, Film Scores. Notable players include Itzhak Perlman, Bregovic, System of a Down. Use over m7 chords in Klezmer and Balkan contexts. The #4 adds the exotic 'weeping' quality that defines these traditions.
Notes: C, D, Eb, F#, G, A, Bb
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 4A, 5P, 6M, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 b3 #4 5 6 b7
Formula: W-H-WH-H-W-H-W
Number of notes: 7
Also known as: ukrainian dorian, romanian minor, altered dorian
How to Play C Dorian #4 on Bass
On bass, locate C on the A string at fret 3. Use a one-finger-per-fret approach starting from the root and span two to three strings. Keep your fretting hand relaxed and practice shifting between positions cleanly.
The C Dorian #4 scale contains both sharps and flats (1 sharp, 2 flats), which is common in altered and exotic scales. Its relative major is Eb major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the C Dorian #4 scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (C-Eb, D-F#) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on C to let the characteristic intervals of the Dorian #4 scale come through clearly.
Bass Tips
Practice the C Dorian #4 scale on bass using only your index and ring fingers for a two-finger-per-string approach, then switch to one-finger-per-fret. Both techniques are essential for different musical situations.
The C Dorian #4 scale contains 7 notes (C, D, Eb, F#, G, A, Bb). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for C Dorian #4
The C Dorian #4 scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 7-note scale, it also lends itself to 3-notes-per-string (3NPS) patterns that facilitate legato playing and diagonal shifting. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.