What Is The Dorian Mode? Guitar Theory Lesson

What Is The Dorian Mode? Guitar Theory Lesson

The Dorian mode is based on the second degree of the major scale and is a minor sounding mode. This is because it is built from the second degree of the scale, which harmonises to a minor chord. The D dorian is as follows:(See website).

Another way to work out the Dorian mode, and what we consider to be the best way to do it, is to learn the formula. The formula for this scale is:

Dorian Mode: 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7 8

To help you put this into practice, here is a common shape for the D Dorian scale. Notice that these are the exact same notes as in C major, just starting and ending on D. (See website)

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[Guide]

It was the 3rd of June, another dusty Delta day. It's 2025 and this was put up 7 years ago! I believe it's one of the best 3 minute lessons I ever saw! Very impressive, presented in a way easily understood. Many thanks. I know it's been 7 years, but I'm glad I found this lesson.

[molicar]

I've just found this and I think this is probably the best explanation I've seen.

[neilrigby]

Very clear and well explained video! It should have more than 500 views surely!

[darcyshae]

Does Dorian have a diatonic chord progression ?

[michelleyb.]

Question: I always thought that, for example, if I wanted the dorian mode in the key of A, 1. Write out the A scale 2. Flatten the third and seventh 3. Now write the same new notes but start on the second note ( making it Dorian) B
Is this technically correct? This is making me lose sleep. Literally

[hungryhippo]

Being the 2nd degree, why does that automatically make the scale/mode minor?

[Aezpa]

Im lost… the A dorian scale doesn’t follow the rule of the third and seventh note becoming flat? The a dorian scale is A B C D E F# G? Right

[rbebut]

I have looked at all the notes so there is no repetition in an explanation on how to get these modes. Dorian is the 2nd degree of the C major scale but what this video is not telling is how the dorian mode gets it's pattern of 1 2 3b 4 5 6 7b. If you write down the D major scale you get 1 2 3# 4 5 6 7#. but to negate those shares you have to lower the sharps, thus flatting the notes. There are other ways of looking at the modes is taking the the key signatures of the sharp scales and matching them up with the flat scales. In other words. C no sharps no flats, 2nd degree D to Bb (dorian), , 3rd degree E to Ab (Phrygian), 4th degree F to G (Lydian), 5th degree G to F (Mixolydian), 6th degree A to Eb (Aeolian), 7th degree B to Db (Locrian)