F Dorian Ukulele Scale
Ukulele 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 Ukulele, it contains the notes F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb. 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 Fm7, Gm7, AbMaj7, Bb7, Cm7, Dm7b5, EbMaj7. 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, Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb
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
Fm7 — Gm7 — A♭Maj7 — B♭7 — Cm7 — Dm7♭5 — E♭Maj7
How to Play F Dorian on Ukulele
On ukulele, find F on the fret 5 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 F Dorian scale contains 3 flats (Ab, Bb, Eb). Its relative major is Ab major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 80 BPM and play the F 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 F Dorian scale: Fm7 - Bb7 - Cm7 - Fm7 (I-IV-V-I) or Fm7 - Gm7 - Bb7 - Cm7 for a more stepwise movement.
Ukulele Tips
The compact fretboard of the ukulele makes the F Dorian scale easy to visualize in a single position. Use this to your advantage by memorizing the scale shape relative to chord shapes you already know.
The F Dorian scale contains 7 notes (F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Ukulele 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.
Explore F Dorian Further
- Harmonize the F Dorian scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- F Dorian on Guitar
- F Dorian on Bass
- F Dorian on Piano