Dorian · 7 notes

Bb Dorian Scale on Guitar

The Bb Dorian Scale has the notes Bb – C – Db – Eb – F – G – Ab. 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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Bb Dorian Scale notes

Degree12b3456b7
NoteBbCDbEbFGAb

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

Fretboard diagram (frets 0 to 12)

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

EADGBe123456789101112FGAbBbCDbEbBbCDbEbFGAbEbFGAbBbCDbGAbBbCDbEbFGCDbEbFGAbBbFGAbBbCDbEb

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)

EADGBe1234FGAbBbCDbEbFGAbBbCDbEbFGAb

Position 2 (frets 2–6)

EADGBe23456GAbBbCDbEbFGAbBbCDbDbEbFGAbBb

Position 3 (frets 3–7)

EADGBe34567GAbBbCDbEbFGAbBbCDbEbFGAbBb

Position 4 (frets 5–9)

EADGBe56789BbCDbEbFGAbBbCDbEbFGAbBbCDb

Position 5 (frets 7–11)

EADGBe7891011CDbEbFGAbBbCDbEbFGAbBbCDbEb

Position 6 (frets 8–12)

EADGBe89101112CDbEbFGAbBbCDbEbFGGAbBbCDbEb

Position 7 (frets 10–14)

EADGBe1011121314EbFGAbBbCDbEbFGAbBbCDbEbF

How to use the Bb 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#GAbAB
Bb Major ScaleBb Natural Minor ScaleBb Major Pentatonic ScaleBb Minor Pentatonic ScaleBb Blues ScaleBb Mixolydian ScaleBb Phrygian ScaleBb Lydian ScaleBb Harmonic Minor Scale

FAQ

What are the notes of the Bb Dorian Scale?

The Bb Dorian Scale contains Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab.

What is the Bb 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: Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab, then the root Bb again an octave higher.

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