How To Play The Dorian Scale On Guitar And When To Use It

While you *can* use the Dorian scale over a 12 bar blues... that's not the most common way I see it used.

More often than not, I see it used over "bluesy" songs and not "blues" songs.

Deja Voodoo by Kenny Wayne Shepherd is an example, along with songs like Spooky and Oye Como Va - not necessarily blues classics, but great tunes that come up often, nonetheless.

So in this video I'll show you how to play it, and some ideas for practicing it and using it.

Hope you dig the video!

[larrypower]

Dickey Betts made terrific use of the Dorian scale, as well as Mixolydian. I taught five summers for a program called
Day Jams, and the instructional guitar book they put together called Dorian scale “the Carlos Santana secret scale.”
Good description. And Jerry Garcia was an avid player of both Dorian and Mixolydian. The connection is, all three of
their bands were at the forefront of the Jam Band culture. Dorian scale opens up that minor pentatonic to more ex-
pressive playing, as does Mixolydian, And a bit of purple owsley probably helped, too.

[daveakabluewater]

Great a new term for me "broken thirds". Been using broken thirds just never knew it had a name. BTW Modes Unleashed has really helped me in my musical journey. Thanks Griff!

[jtwolfstories]

GH is a badass. His Full Acces has a lifetime of lessons. It is endless. I am actually a decent guitar player now thanks to GH. Thanks so much!

[mozartsp]

Great video! Warren Haynes is also an awesome player that uses the Dorian mode a lot.

[TheHarmonicaBarge]

Nice lesson! Just applying this to harmonica
Thanks 👍

[motleyal]

Great lesson. I’ve been trying to incorporate Dorian flavours into my playing as Angus young does it on the likes of some live versions of Riff Raff. Bending the 6th up a semi tone to the minor 7th is such a great sound

[victorjordan]

dude you are too cool; super helpful on tricks for playing lead

[shanedinan]

Thanks for the advice! Super helpful in understanding when to use this mode!

[josephleeastrande]

Thanks for this lesson video. Now I know how to use dorian mode.

[JB]

Great lesson. Love the Broken Third tip. I had never heard of that, and it really works! Thanks for that. Subscribed and Liked. I will check out your lessons.

[deepwaters]

I really enjoy how u play and the explanation was very clear.
Can u please explain lydian and mixolidian? Thank u ...

[franciscofonseca]

great lesson!! perhaps you could do something similar with other modes as well? cheers!

[johnmacmillan]

Thanks Griff! Btw, how did you play the am chord all on the 5th fret?

[SketchingRocks]

@larrypower8659 LOOKING FOR BACKING TRACKS (Dorian and Mixolydian). Anyone have some YT links?

Did you have backing tracks for Dorian and Mixolydian scales? I have been playing for years, but just started to learn scales and modes. I love Dickey Betts, Santana and especially Garcia.

[lgp]

Thanks Griff! I have learned the different modes, the problems I have is ‘when to apply them’. Any suggestions would be great.

[lamper]

Is 10:08 Riders on the storm sound? may not be exactly the song- I know Ray was pretty schooled

[marcospezenato]

Hahaha

LOL

I got a shirt "GET BIG OR DIE TRYING" (Big means Strong, not Fat, of corse)