C Dorian Guitar Scale
Guitar 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 Guitar, it contains the notes C, D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb. 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 Cm7, Dm7, EbMaj7, F7, Gm7, Am7b5, BbMaj7. 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, Eb, F, G, A, Bb
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
Cm7 — Dm7 — E♭Maj7 — F7 — Gm7 — Am7♭5 — B♭Maj7
How to Play C Dorian on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 8 on the 6th (low E) to find your C root note. Use a three-notes-per-string fingering to cover the full scale in one position, or learn the CAGED shapes to navigate the entire fretboard. An alternative starting point is open position.
The C Dorian scale contains 2 flats (Eb, Bb). Its relative major is Eb major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Practice the C Dorian scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 80 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 7 notes of the scale.
Try these progressions with the C Dorian scale: Cm7 - F7 - Gm7 - Cm7 (I-IV-V-I) or Cm7 - Dm7 - F7 - Gm7 for a more stepwise movement.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, try playing the C Dorian scale using legato technique (hammer-ons and pull-offs) to develop a smooth, connected sound. This is particularly effective for longer scale runs.
The C Dorian scale contains 7 notes (C, D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar 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.
Explore C Dorian Further
- Harmonize the C Dorian scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- C Dorian on Ukulele
- C Dorian on Bass
- C Dorian on Piano
Explore C Dorian in Other Tunings
- C Dorian in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Dorian in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- C Dorian in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- C Dorian in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- C Dorian in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- C Dorian in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- C Dorian in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- C Dorian in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- C Dorian in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- C Dorian in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- C Dorian in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- C Dorian in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- C Dorian in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Dorian in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)