F# Dorian Tres Cubano Scale
Tres Cubano scale — fretboard diagram
F# Dorian Scale — Notes and Intervals
The F# Dorian scale is the second mode of the major scale, offering a soulful and sophisticated minor sound. On Tres Cubano, it contains the notes F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#, E. 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 F# Dorian are F#m7, G#m7, AMaj7, B7, C#m7, D#m7b5, EMaj7. 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: F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#, E
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
F♯m7 — G♯m7 — AMaj7 — B7 — C♯m7 — D♯m7♭5 — EMaj7
How to Play F# Dorian on Tres Cubano
Begin by locating F# on your instrument and play through the 7 notes of the Dorian scale slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.
The F# Dorian scale contains 4 sharps (F#, G#, C#, D#). Its relative major is A major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the F# Dorian scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (F#-A, G#-B) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
Try these progressions with the F# Dorian scale: F#m7 - B7 - C#m7 - F#m7 (I-IV-V-I) or F#m7 - G#m7 - B7 - C#m7 for a more stepwise movement.
Tres Cubano Tips
Practice the F# Dorian scale slowly and evenly on your instrument, focusing on tone quality for each of the 7 notes before building speed.
The F# Dorian scale contains 7 notes (F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#, E). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Tres Cubano with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for F# Dorian
The F# 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.