Before studying the Dorian mode it is important to understand the major scale. The Dorian mode is derived from the major scale by simply starting on its second note and keeping the same intervals or steps. By making the second note now the root note, we create a completely different set of sounding notes known as the Dorian mode. As you progress with lead guitar and learn guitar scales you will find this mode particularly useful for creating great sounding solos.
Let's compare the intervals of the Dorian mode with that of the major scale. So if both have the same root note - we notice that they contain the same intervals, however the Dorian mode has its third dropped a semitone creating a minor third and the seventh is also dropped a semitone. This difference in two notes will make the two sound very different.
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.
The Dorian mode is often said to have a "bluesy" sound when played on the guitar. When you learn guitar scales for the first time, no doubt you will encounter the minor pentatonic scale or the blues scale. If we add a major second and a major sixth to the minor pentatonic scale we create the Dorian mode. These two notes will add more flavour and diversity to your guitar solos, whilst maintaining the "bluesy" undertones from the common pentatonic notes.
The Dorian mode is used extensively in rock and jazz as well as many other genres of music. This is a favourite soloing mode of Carlos Santana as an example. Its also used by Eric Clapton in the classic;"Cocaine". As you progress with lead guitar and learn guitar scales, it will get easier to identify the different sounding modes and scales, and how they are applied to different styles of music.
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 Dorian mode. Using this mode will take your pentatonic solos to new heights giving them a more colourful and diverse sound. Without a doubt, 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.
Let's compare the intervals of the Dorian mode with that of the major scale. So if both have the same root note - we notice that they contain the same intervals, however the Dorian mode has its third dropped a semitone creating a minor third and the seventh is also dropped a semitone. This difference in two notes will make the two sound very different.
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.
The Dorian mode is often said to have a "bluesy" sound when played on the guitar. When you learn guitar scales for the first time, no doubt you will encounter the minor pentatonic scale or the blues scale. If we add a major second and a major sixth to the minor pentatonic scale we create the Dorian mode. These two notes will add more flavour and diversity to your guitar solos, whilst maintaining the "bluesy" undertones from the common pentatonic notes.
The Dorian mode is used extensively in rock and jazz as well as many other genres of music. This is a favourite soloing mode of Carlos Santana as an example. Its also used by Eric Clapton in the classic;"Cocaine". As you progress with lead guitar and learn guitar scales, it will get easier to identify the different sounding modes and scales, and how they are applied to different styles of music.
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 Dorian mode. Using this mode will take your pentatonic solos to new heights giving them a more colourful and diverse sound. Without a doubt, 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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