Dorian · 7 notes

Ab Dorian Scale on Guitar

The Ab Dorian Scale has the notes Ab – Bb – Cb – Db – Eb – F – Gb. Dorian is a minor mode with a raised 6th, common in funk, jazz and rock. Minor but with a lift, because of the raised 6th. Funky and cool.

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Ab Dorian Scale notes

Degree12b3456b7
NoteAbBbCbDbEbFGb

It has the same notes as Gb major, starting from the second note.

Fretboard diagram (frets 0 to 12)

Orange dots are the root Ab. The pattern repeats after the 12th fret.

EADGBe123456789101112FGbAbBbCbDbEbBbCbDbEbFGbAbEbFGbAbBbCbDbAbBbCbDbEbFGbCbDbEbFGbAbBbCbFGbAbBbCbDbEb

7 positions across the neck

Learn the scale one box at a time and then link neighbouring boxes. Each diagram covers a five-fret window.

Position 1 (frets 0–4)

EADGBe1234FGbAbBbCbDbEbFGbAbBbCbCbDbEbFGbAb

Position 2 (frets 1–5)

EADGBe12345FGbAbBbCbDbEbFGbAbBbCbDbEbFGbAb

Position 3 (frets 3–7)

EADGBe34567AbBbCbDbEbFGbAbBbCbDbEbFGbAbBbCb

Position 4 (frets 5–9)

EADGBe56789BbCbDbEbFGbAbBbCbDbEbFGbAbBbCbDb

Position 5 (frets 6–10)

EADGBe678910BbCbDbEbFGbAbBbCbDbEbFFGbAbBbCbDb

Position 6 (frets 8–12)

EADGBe89101112DbEbFGbAbBbCbDbEbFGbAbBbCbDbEb

Position 7 (frets 10–14)

EADGBe1011121314EbFGbAbBbCbDbEbFGbAbBbCbDbEbFGb

How to use the Ab Dorian Scale

Funk, jazz, Latin and rock over minor 7th chords.

Practice tip. Compare it with the natural minor scale; the only difference is the 6th degree. Emphasise it for the dorian flavour.

More Dorian scales and related scales

CC#DEbEFF#GABbB
Ab Major ScaleAb Natural Minor ScaleAb Major Pentatonic ScaleAb Minor Pentatonic ScaleAb Blues ScaleAb Mixolydian ScaleAb Phrygian ScaleAb Lydian ScaleAb Harmonic Minor Scale

FAQ

What are the notes of the Ab Dorian Scale?

The Ab Dorian Scale contains Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, F, Gb.

What is the Ab Dorian Scale used for?

Dorian is a minor mode with a raised 6th, common in funk, jazz and rock. Use it over minor 7th chords in funk and jazz.

How many notes are in the Dorian scale?

7 notes: Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, F, Gb, then the root Ab again an octave higher.

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