Learn Guitar Scales : Amazing Solos Using The Dorian Mode
Posted by Kay Stanford Jr Kastum at 2:47 AMBefore understanding the Dorian mode, it is important to touch on the major scale or Ionian mode. The Dorian mode is derived from the major scale by simply starting on the second note and looping around, using the same steps or intervals. By doing this, we create a completely different set of sounding notes known as the Dorian mode. As you learn guitar scales you will likely use this mode to create great sounding guitar solos.
If we compare Dorian with the the major scale, we find that Dorian keeps the same notes except for a flattened third and flattened seventh interval. This makes the Dorian mode a minor scale, which will sound very different to the major scale.
As you learn guitar scales you will encounter the Aeolian mode. The Dorian mode is similar to the Aeolian mode or natural minor scale with one important difference. The Dorian mode uses a major sixth interval compared to the flattened sixth of the Aeolian. This one note difference actually makes Dorian sound much brighter.
As you learn guitar scales for soloing, you will likely start with the minor pentatonic scale. The Dorian mode is essentially the same scale with the addition of the major second and major sixth intervals. Being similar to the pentatonic scale, it is easy to create a bluesy sound by emphasising these notes in your solos. The addition of these two notes will add more flavour and diversity to your lead breaks, whilst maintaining the "bluesy" undertones from the common pentatonic notes.
The Dorian mode can be applied to many different styles of music. In rock music, as an example, Eric Clapton uses this mode in the classic "Cocaine", and Carlos Santana uses this mode often to solo with. There are many examples in popular music as well as jazz using this mode. As you progress with lead guitar and learn guitar scales, you will start to hear the different intervals and identify the modes in various songs.
The Dorian mode can be played over minor chords or seventh chords. Seventh chords tend to sound good because four out of the seven notes are common, making it hard to hit a "bad" note.
As you learn guitar scales and modes, keep an eye out for the second major scale mode; Dorian. Using this mode will take your pentatonic solos up a level giving them a more diverse and colourful sound. You will be truly amazed at what the addition of just two notes to the minor pentatonic scale can really do for your guitar solos.
If we compare Dorian with the the major scale, we find that Dorian keeps the same notes except for a flattened third and flattened seventh interval. This makes the Dorian mode a minor scale, which will sound very different to the major scale.
As you learn guitar scales you will encounter the Aeolian mode. The Dorian mode is similar to the Aeolian mode or natural minor scale with one important difference. The Dorian mode uses a major sixth interval compared to the flattened sixth of the Aeolian. This one note difference actually makes Dorian sound much brighter.
As you learn guitar scales for soloing, you will likely start with the minor pentatonic scale. The Dorian mode is essentially the same scale with the addition of the major second and major sixth intervals. Being similar to the pentatonic scale, it is easy to create a bluesy sound by emphasising these notes in your solos. The addition of these two notes will add more flavour and diversity to your lead breaks, whilst maintaining the "bluesy" undertones from the common pentatonic notes.
The Dorian mode can be applied to many different styles of music. In rock music, as an example, Eric Clapton uses this mode in the classic "Cocaine", and Carlos Santana uses this mode often to solo with. There are many examples in popular music as well as jazz using this mode. As you progress with lead guitar and learn guitar scales, you will start to hear the different intervals and identify the modes in various songs.
The Dorian mode can be played over minor chords or seventh chords. Seventh chords tend to sound good because four out of the seven notes are common, making it hard to hit a "bad" note.
As you learn guitar scales and modes, keep an eye out for the second major scale mode; Dorian. Using this mode will take your pentatonic solos up a level giving them a more diverse and colourful sound. You will be truly amazed at what the addition of just two notes to the minor pentatonic scale can really do for your guitar solos.
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