D Dorian #4 Guitar Scale — Drop C

Guitar scale in Drop C tuning — fretboard diagram

D Dorian #4 in Drop C — Notes and Intervals

The D Dorian #4 scale, known in Eastern Europe as the Ukrainian Dorian or Misheberak, has a deeply soulful, crying quality. On Guitar, the notes are D, E, F, G#, A, B, C. 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: D, E, F, G#, A, B, C

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

Tuning: Drop C (C-G-C-F-A-D)

Also known as: ukrainian dorian, romanian minor, altered dorian

About Drop C Tuning

Drop C tuning (C-G-C-F-A-D) drops every string one whole step below Drop D, delivering a massive, brutal low-end that has defined the sound of modern metalcore, post-hardcore, and nu-metal. The low C string provides earth-shaking power chords with a single finger while maintaining familiar Drop D shapes — just two frets lower.

From System of a Down's iconic riffs to Killswitch Engage's crushing breakdowns, Drop C has become the standard tuning for heavy music that needs to sound bigger than standard Drop D. It bridges the gap between standard guitar territory and the extended range of 7-string guitars, making it accessible to players who want heavier tones without buying a new instrument.

MetalcorePost-HardcoreNu-MetalHeavy AlternativeDjent-lite

Notable artists: System of a Down, Killswitch Engage, Bullet for My Valentine, As I Lay Dying, August Burns Red

Best for: Modern metalcore breakdowns, heavy power chord riffs, nu-metal grooves, and aggressive rhythm playing

Explore This Scale in Other Tunings

← All Guitar scales in Drop C tuning