Guitar scale reference
D♭ Dorian scale on guitar: five CAGED positions
Dorian is a minor mode with a natural 6th. That single degree separates it from natural minor and supports a brighter, more mobile minor sound often used over minor seventh harmony.
What gives the scale its sound
The contrast between ♭3 and natural 6 is the mode’s fingerprint. Targeting the 6th over a minor tonic makes Dorian audible without relying on a memorised starting note.
- Interval formula
- 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · ♭7
- Notes in D♭
- D♭ · E♭ · F♭ · G♭ · A♭ · B♭ · C♭
D♭ Dorian across the neck
The five views overlap. Root notes are highlighted; use interval labels first, then confirm the spelled notes above.
Position 1 · E shape · frets 8–12
Ascending and descending tab
e|-------------------------------------------9-11-12-11--9-------------------------------------------| B|----------------------------------9-11-12----------------12-11--9----------------------------------| G|-------------------------8--9-11----------------------------------11--9--8-------------------------| D|----------------8--9-11----------------------------------------------------11--9--8----------------| A|----------9-11----------------------------------------------------------------------11--9----------| E|-9-11-12----------------------------------------------------------------------------------12-11--9-|
Position 2 · D shape · frets 10–14
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------------------11-12-14-12-11-------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------11-12-14----------------14-12-11----------------------------------| G|---------------------------11-13----------------------------------13-11----------------------------| D|------------------11-13-14----------------------------------------------14-13-11-------------------| A|---------11-13-14----------------------------------------------------------------14-13-11----------| E|11-12-14----------------------------------------------------------------------------------14-12-11-|
Position 3 · C shape · frets 12–16
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------12-14-16-14-12----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------12-14-16----------------16-14-12-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------13-15-16----------------------------------16-15-13----------------------------| D|------------------13-14-16----------------------------------------------------16-14-13-------------------| A|---------13-14-16----------------------------------------------------------------------16-14-13----------| E|12-14-16----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16-14-12-|
Position 4 · A shape · frets 15–19
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------------------16-18-19-18-16-------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------16-17-19----------------19-17-16----------------------------------| G|------------------------15-16-18----------------------------------18-16-15-------------------------| D|------------------16-18----------------------------------------------------18-16-------------------| A|---------16-18-19----------------------------------------------------------------19-18-16----------| E|16-18-19----------------------------------------------------------------------------------19-18-16-|
Position 5 · G shape · frets 17–21
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------18-19-21-19-18----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------17-19-21----------------21-19-17-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------18-20-21----------------------------------21-20-18----------------------------| D|------------------18-20-21----------------------------------------------------21-20-18-------------------| A|---------18-19-21----------------------------------------------------------------------21-19-18----------| E|18-19-21----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------21-19-18-|
Practice drill
Find every natural 6th in one CAGED position and resolve each to the 5th or ♭7. Repeat across all five shapes, then connect positions by landing on the 6th.
Use the guitar scale practice guide to turn the diagram into a recall, connection and phrasing routine.
If the interval formula or five-position layout is new, begin with the beginner guitar scale guide.
Open the scale randomiser