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 9–13
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------------------10-12-13-12-10-------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------10-12-13----------------13-12-10----------------------------------| G|-------------------------9-10-12----------------------------------12-10--9-------------------------| D|----------------9-10-12----------------------------------------------------12-10--9----------------| A|---------10-12----------------------------------------------------------------------12-10----------| E|10-12-13----------------------------------------------------------------------------------13-12-10-|
Position 2 · D shape · frets 11–15
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------------------12-13-15-13-12-------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------12-13-15----------------15-13-12----------------------------------| G|---------------------------12-14----------------------------------14-12----------------------------| D|------------------12-14-15----------------------------------------------15-14-12-------------------| A|---------12-14-15----------------------------------------------------------------15-14-12----------| E|12-13-15----------------------------------------------------------------------------------15-13-12-|
Position 3 · C shape · frets 13–17
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------13-15-17-15-13----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------13-15-17----------------17-15-13-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------14-16-17----------------------------------17-16-14----------------------------| D|------------------14-15-17----------------------------------------------------17-15-14-------------------| A|---------14-15-17----------------------------------------------------------------------17-15-14----------| E|13-15-17----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------17-15-13-|
Position 4 · A shape · frets 16–20
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------------------17-19-20-19-17-------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------17-18-20----------------20-18-17----------------------------------| G|------------------------16-17-19----------------------------------19-17-16-------------------------| D|------------------17-19----------------------------------------------------19-17-------------------| A|---------17-19-20----------------------------------------------------------------20-19-17----------| E|17-19-20----------------------------------------------------------------------------------20-19-17-|
Position 5 · G shape · frets 18–22
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------19-20-22-20-19----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------18-20-22----------------22-20-18-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------19-21-22----------------------------------22-21-19----------------------------| D|------------------19-21-22----------------------------------------------------22-21-19-------------------| A|---------19-20-22----------------------------------------------------------------------22-20-19----------| E|19-20-22----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------22-20-19-|
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