Guitar scale reference
C 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 C
- C · D · E♭ · F · G · A · B♭
C 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 7–11
Ascending and descending tab
e|-------------------------------------------8-10-11-10--8-------------------------------------------| B|----------------------------------8-10-11----------------11-10--8----------------------------------| G|-------------------------7--8-10----------------------------------10--8--7-------------------------| D|----------------7--8-10----------------------------------------------------10--8--7----------------| A|----------8-10----------------------------------------------------------------------10--8----------| E|-8-10-11----------------------------------------------------------------------------------11-10--8-|
Position 2 · D shape · frets 10–13
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------------------10-11-13-11-10-------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------10-11-13----------------13-11-10----------------------------------| G|---------------------------10-12----------------------------------12-10----------------------------| D|------------------10-12-13----------------------------------------------13-12-10-------------------| A|---------10-12-13----------------------------------------------------------------13-12-10----------| E|10-11-13----------------------------------------------------------------------------------13-11-10-|
Position 3 · C shape · frets 12–16
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------------------13-15-13-------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------13-15-16----------16-15-13----------------------------------| G|------------------------12-14-15----------------------------15-14-12-------------------------| D|---------------12-13-15----------------------------------------------15-13-12----------------| A|------12-13-15----------------------------------------------------------------15-13-12-------| E|13-15----------------------------------------------------------------------------------15-13-|
Position 4 · A shape · frets 14–18
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------------------15-17-18-17-15-------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------15-16-18----------------18-16-15----------------------------------| G|------------------------14-15-17----------------------------------17-15-14-------------------------| D|------------------15-17----------------------------------------------------17-15-------------------| A|---------15-17-18----------------------------------------------------------------18-17-15----------| E|15-17-18----------------------------------------------------------------------------------18-17-15-|
Position 5 · G shape · frets 17–20
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------17-18-20-18-17----------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------18-20----------------20-18----------------------------------| G|------------------------17-19-20----------------------------20-19-17-------------------------| D|---------------17-19-20----------------------------------------------20-19-17----------------| A|------17-18-20----------------------------------------------------------------20-18-17-------| E|18-20----------------------------------------------------------------------------------20-18-|
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