D# Dorian Ukulele Scale
Ukulele scale — fretboard diagram
D# Dorian Scale — Notes and Intervals
The D# Dorian scale is the second mode of the major scale, offering a soulful and sophisticated minor sound. On Ukulele, it contains the notes D#, F, F#, G#, A#, C, C#. 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 D# Dorian are D#m7, Fm7, F#Maj7, G#7, A#m7, Cm7b5, C#Maj7. 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: D#, F, F#, G#, A#, C, C#
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
D♯m7 — Fm7 — F♯Maj7 — G♯7 — A♯m7 — Cm7♭5 — C♯Maj7
How to Play D# Dorian on Ukulele
On ukulele, find D# on the fret 2 area, and work through the scale within a four-fret span. You may need to shift positions once to cover all 7 notes. Practice each position separately before linking them together.
The D# Dorian scale contains 5 sharps (D#, F#, G#, A#, C#). Its relative major is F# major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the D# Dorian scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (D#-F#, F-G#) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
Try these progressions with the D# Dorian scale: D#m7 - G#7 - A#m7 - D#m7 (I-IV-V-I) or D#m7 - Fm7 - G#7 - A#m7 for a more stepwise movement.
Ukulele Tips
On ukulele, the D# Dorian scale sounds particularly charming when played as a melodic pattern over fingerpicked chord shapes. Try integrating scale tones into your strumming patterns for a more sophisticated sound.
The D# Dorian scale contains 7 notes (D#, F, F#, G#, A#, C, C#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Ukulele with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for D# Dorian
The D# 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 D# Dorian Further
- Harmonize the D# Dorian scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- D# Dorian on Guitar
- D# Dorian on Bass
- D# Dorian on Piano