Guitar scale reference
B 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 B
- B · C♯ · D · E · F♯ · G♯ · A
B 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 6–10
Ascending and descending tab
e|-------------------------------------------7--9-10--9--7-------------------------------------------| B|----------------------------------7--9-10----------------10--9--7----------------------------------| G|-------------------------6--7--9-----------------------------------9--7--6-------------------------| D|----------------6--7--9-----------------------------------------------------9--7--6----------------| A|----------7--9-----------------------------------------------------------------------9--7----------| E|-7--9-10----------------------------------------------------------------------------------10--9--7-|
Position 2 · D shape · frets 8–12
Ascending and descending tab
e|-------------------------------------------9-10-12-10--9-------------------------------------------| B|----------------------------------9-10-12----------------12-10--9----------------------------------| G|----------------------------9-11----------------------------------11--9----------------------------| D|-------------------9-11-12----------------------------------------------12-11--9-------------------| A|----------9-11-12----------------------------------------------------------------12-11--9----------| E|-9-10-12----------------------------------------------------------------------------------12-10--9-|
Position 3 · C shape · frets 10–14
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------10-12-14-12-10----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------10-12-14----------------14-12-10-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------11-13-14----------------------------------14-13-11----------------------------| D|------------------11-12-14----------------------------------------------------14-12-11-------------------| A|---------11-12-14----------------------------------------------------------------------14-12-11----------| E|10-12-14----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14-12-10-|
Position 4 · A shape · frets 13–17
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------------------14-16-17-16-14-------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------14-15-17----------------17-15-14----------------------------------| G|------------------------13-14-16----------------------------------16-14-13-------------------------| D|------------------14-16----------------------------------------------------16-14-------------------| A|---------14-16-17----------------------------------------------------------------17-16-14----------| E|14-16-17----------------------------------------------------------------------------------17-16-14-|
Position 5 · G shape · frets 15–19
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------16-17-19-17-16----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------15-17-19----------------19-17-15-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------16-18-19----------------------------------19-18-16----------------------------| D|------------------16-18-19----------------------------------------------------19-18-16-------------------| A|---------16-17-19----------------------------------------------------------------------19-17-16----------| E|16-17-19----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------19-17-16-|
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