Guitar scale reference
E♭ 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 E♭
- E♭ · F · G♭ · A♭ · B♭ · C · D♭
E♭ 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 10–14
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------------------11-13-14-13-11-------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------11-13-14----------------14-13-11----------------------------------| G|------------------------10-11-13----------------------------------13-11-10-------------------------| D|---------------10-11-13----------------------------------------------------13-11-10----------------| A|---------11-13----------------------------------------------------------------------13-11----------| E|11-13-14----------------------------------------------------------------------------------14-13-11-|
Position 2 · D shape · frets 12–16
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------------------13-14-16-14-13-------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------13-14-16----------------16-14-13----------------------------------| G|---------------------------13-15----------------------------------15-13----------------------------| D|------------------13-15-16----------------------------------------------16-15-13-------------------| A|---------13-15-16----------------------------------------------------------------16-15-13----------| E|13-14-16----------------------------------------------------------------------------------16-14-13-|
Position 3 · C shape · frets 14–18
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------14-16-18-16-14----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------14-16-18----------------18-16-14-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------15-17-18----------------------------------18-17-15----------------------------| D|------------------15-16-18----------------------------------------------------18-16-15-------------------| A|---------15-16-18----------------------------------------------------------------------18-16-15----------| E|14-16-18----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------18-16-14-|
Position 4 · A shape · frets 17–21
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------------------18-20-21-20-18-------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------18-19-21----------------21-19-18----------------------------------| G|------------------------17-18-20----------------------------------20-18-17-------------------------| D|------------------18-20----------------------------------------------------20-18-------------------| A|---------18-20-21----------------------------------------------------------------21-20-18----------| E|18-20-21----------------------------------------------------------------------------------21-20-18-|
Position 5 · G shape · frets 19–23
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------20-21-23-21-20----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------19-21-23----------------23-21-19-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------20-22-23----------------------------------23-22-20----------------------------| D|------------------20-22-23----------------------------------------------------23-22-20-------------------| A|---------20-21-23----------------------------------------------------------------------23-21-20----------| E|20-21-23----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------23-21-20-|
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