C# Dorian Bass Scale
Bass scale — fretboard diagram
C# Dorian Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C# Dorian scale is the second mode of the major scale, offering a soulful and sophisticated minor sound. On Bass, it contains the notes C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A#, B. Because it features a major sixth, it sounds brighter and more hopeful than the natural minor. It is the go-to scale for jazz, funk, and modal blues. The diatonic chords of C# Dorian are C#m7, D#m7, EMaj7, F#7, G#m7, A#m7b5, BMaj7. Commonly used in Funk, Jazz, Fusion, Neo-Soul, Blues. Notable players include Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, D'Angelo. Use over m7, m9, m11, m13 chords. The go-to scale for any minor chord in funk, jazz, and soul. Works especially well over long minor vamps.
Notes: C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A#, B
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6M, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7
Formula: W-H-W-W-W-H-W
Number of notes: 7
Diatonic Chords
C♯m7 — D♯m7 — EMaj7 — F♯7 — G♯m7 — A♯m7♭5 — BMaj7
How to Play C# Dorian on Bass
On bass, locate C# on the A string at fret 4. 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 scale contains 5 sharps (C#, D#, F#, G#, A#). Its relative major is E major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the C# Dorian scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (C#-E, D#-F#) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
Try these progressions with the C# Dorian scale: C#m7 - F#7 - G#m7 - C#m7 (I-IV-V-I) or C#m7 - D#m7 - F#7 - G#m7 for a more stepwise movement.
Bass Tips
Practice the C# Dorian 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 scale contains 7 notes (C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A#, B). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for C# Dorian
The C# Dorian 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.