The Dorian Mode introduces two very cool notes that we can add to our minor pentatonic scales to get some hip sounds.

Don't worry too much about all the Greek (the Modal names, like Dorian) there is no real need for you to understand all that if you just want to play the blues! For those that are interested - The Dorian Mode is the second mode of the Major Scale. So the Dorian Mode is in fact a Major Scale but has the tonal centre on the second degree of the scale. In this case we are looking at the A Dorian Mode, and the Parent Major Scale (PMS) is G Major. So G Major and A Dorian Mode have the same notes! Enough about that... more on Modes coming soon.

So when we look at the notes in the A Dorian Mode (A B C D E F# G) and the A Minor Pentatonic (A C D E G) we see that the Dorian Mode has two extra notes B and F#. In The key of A, The note B is the 9th (can also be called the 2nd) and the F# is the 6th (can also be called te 13th). Both these notes sound very cool in the blues.

If you want to understand the theory behind the Modes - check out the Theory book in my Recommended section!

Check out the video first this time and check out the way to use them - Just think of the Dorian notes as being extras that you can add to the Minor Pentatonic and you should be able to get using them pretty soon. You will start in the next lesson when we get into playing licks!

Video Lesson



Go Play Along Video and TAB lesson

Position 1 - (E shape from CAGED system)

Major Scale Pos 2

 


Position 2 - (D shape from CAGED system)

Major Scale Pos 2

 


Position 3 - (C shape from CAGED system)

Major Scale Pos 2

 


Position 4 - (A shape from CAGED system)

Major Scale Pos 2

 


Position 5 - (G shape from CAGED system)

Major Scale Pos 2

 



Related Products

DVD - Blues Lead Guitar

Lessons 1-10 are available on Blues Lead Guitar 1 DVD. Yes the videos are free here on the site, but the DVD gives you FAR better quality and the ability to watch them step by step. And you don't have to worry about a slow interweb connection. And buying products supports the site. It is bargain priced too... not the full exclusive DVD price. Check it out now blues dudes... Also available as a double dvd and audio cd of jam tracks box set!

PR-031 • Blues Lead Guitar 1 (DVD)

DVD - Blues Lead Guitar 2

Lessons 11-20, including the lesson shown above is available on Blues Lead Guitar 2 DVD. Yes the videos are free here on the site, but the DVD gives you FAR better quality and the ability to watch them step by step, pause and slow motion. And you don't have to worry about a slow interweb connection. And buying products supports the site. It is bargain priced too... not the full exclusive DVD price. Check it out now blues dudes... Also available as a double dvd and audio cd of jam tracks box set!

PR-032 • Blues Lead Guitar 2 (DVD)

RUBS

You may have seen it before, but after checking out this course and my approach to the blues, you might like to re-visit my product, Really Useful Blues Solos. I have collected the best licks in five styles and put them into solos for YOU TO TRANSCRIBE! But I do provide a transcription so you can check your work. It's not easy but it will teach you well. It's the real way to learn them, by ear! Read more about it here...

PR-021 • Really Useful Blues Solos

 

HELP!!!!

HELP

If you need to ask a question about this lesson - there is a topic set up specifically to help you with this lesson. To help you find it easily you can click the following link and it will take you right the topic. You'll be able to see questions that other people had and ask your own questions! Hopefully one of the very helpful members of our community will be there to help you soon, I do go there and answer stuff too - but there are just too many questions for me to answer alone!

So click this link to get help with this lesson!