I often get asked about using modes with the blues, and there aren’t a lot of simple, easy answers…
Except this one.
The Dorian Mode (the 2nd mode of the major scale) is a drop-in replacement for the minor pentatonic or blues scale – as long as you’re playing over an actual blues progression.
So here I’ll show you how to use it and some pitfalls to avoid.
24 replies to "Dropping In The Dorian Scale"
Thank you Griff, I really like the lesson, it fits in with my style of playing the blues. 🙂
Thanks Griff! I thought the Aeolian mode was representative of the minor pentatonic scale. Curious as to why you didn’t choose that mode. Thanks.
The minor pentatonic exists in all 3 minor modes. (As well as their relative Major modes.)
A simple “experiment” without needing any theory.
Alternate between Dorian (w/2,6) and Aeolian (w/2,b6) over a 12 Bar blues jamtrack.
Do the same over a minor blues jamtrack.
Pay close attention to the sound of the b6 vs 6.
Oops! And, of course(?) try pentatonic over both.
I would have done better with a Dorian scale PDF to learn it from..
Might be worth noting that the word “Mode” is never said in the video.
Very good point. Could be confusing to introduce the word without explanation. I won’t go into it, I’m sure Griff will.
That has really helped me understand a way of using Dorian. Based on the 2 note I always thought it was to start from that note. But no, just use the 2 and 6 in the scale. So helpful with all the modes I guess.
thanks Griff!
This is great. I’m going to go fire up my Amp, create a loop, and start experimenting with mixing the Dorian diatonic scale with the blues scale. I’ve tried this before with lackluster results, but I think I was just running the scale too much and wasn’t mixing it up enough. This was a good lesson.
I agree with Bill on this seems to be mixing major and minor and also using chord tones
Carlos Santana and Duane Allman made quite a good living with the Dorian scale!
Interesting. As I was listening to Griff play, I thought it sounded like the Allman Brothers.
Isn’t A Dorian the same as G Major?
Yes, same notes different pattern.
All 7 modes use the same notes that are in the GM scale just different patterns.
I recommend getting the Modes course it gives you the scale patterns and also some other very useful information!
E and B minor pentatonics are also in that A Dorian form. So, you get a choice of: nat, minor, minor pent. in 3 tonal centers, and – the dorian scale. They are all complementary, Maybe too many choices? dont know, but its nice to have one’s options when improvising.
Awesome sound! I love these rules-of-thumb/heuristics (“a drop-in replacement for the pentatonic”) because I don’t like to think about it too much. I’m off to the woodshed, and thanks!
Thanks Griff.
Love the little square of B C F# & G notes.
Aussie Chris
Great lesson! Looks like, if I’m not mistaken, that the places for ornamentation are increased with the Dorian mode. Love that sound.
What a great lesson! Subtle contrast and “spice” like this can potentially make you sound like you really know what you’re doing , while maintaining musicality and taste. I especially cracked up where Griff said that you can alienate listeners by not coming back to the familiar pentatonic and the “maybe you don’t care.” This is probably the most important part of the lesson. Too often, musicians care more about being complicated and showing what they know rather than being effective at communicating a point similar to a well understood conversation between two people……..
Thanks Griff – very useful overview of use of Dorian mode over the standard blues progression.
Mix it up. It sounds good.
Great lesson Griff. I have your course on Modes as well as a number of others. This lesson ties in nicely with the course on Modes, where you refer to the points made in this lesson. Thanks for all your output Griff – always useful and well delivered.
Very helpful lesson Griff. I have several of your courses. You’re a gifted teacher. Thanks for all you do