E Dorian Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
E Dorian Scale — Notes and Intervals
The E Dorian scale is the second mode of the major scale, offering a soulful and sophisticated minor sound. On Guitar, it contains the notes E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D. 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 E Dorian are Em7, F#m7, GMaj7, A7, Bm7, C#m7b5, DMaj7. 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: E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D
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
Em7 — F♯m7 — GMaj7 — A7 — Bm7 — C♯m7♭5 — DMaj7
How to Play E Dorian on Guitar
Start the E Dorian scale in open position, taking advantage of the open E string. 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 E Dorian scale contains 2 sharps (F#, C#). Its relative major is G major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 80 BPM and play the E Dorian scale in groups of four notes, shifting the starting note each repetition. This builds muscle memory across the entire scale range. After a week, try improvising short 4-bar phrases using only these notes.
Try these progressions with the E Dorian scale: Em7 - A7 - Bm7 - Em7 (I-IV-V-I) or Em7 - F#m7 - A7 - Bm7 for a more stepwise movement.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the E Dorian scale on a single string from the open position to the 12th fret. This trains your ear to hear the intervals linearly and helps with slide guitar applications.
The E Dorian scale contains 7 notes (E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for E Dorian
The E 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 E Dorian Further
- Harmonize the E Dorian scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- E Dorian on Ukulele
- E Dorian on Bass
- E Dorian on Piano
Explore E Dorian in Other Tunings
- E Dorian in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- E Dorian in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- E Dorian in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- E Dorian in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- E Dorian in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- E Dorian in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- E Dorian in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- E Dorian in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- E Dorian in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- E Dorian in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- E Dorian in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- E Dorian in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- E Dorian in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- E Dorian in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)