C Dorian mode on bass
The C Dorian mode has seven notes: C, D, E♭, F, G, A and B♭ (1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7). A minor scale with a major 6th, which keeps it from sounding sad. The sound of minor funk, soul and jazz: play it over a m7 chord or a two-chord vamp like Am7 to D.
| Note | C | D | E♭ | F | G | A | B♭ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interval | 1 (root) | 2 | ♭3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | ♭7 |
| Step to the next | whole | half | whole | whole | whole | half | whole |
7 positions to learn it in
Played three notes on every string, the C Dorian mode has a position starting on each of its notes. They are good for speed, with the same picking pattern on every string. Press Play to hear each one, up and back down.
Chords that go with the C Dorian mode
The chords on each note of the scale that use only its notes. Play over any of them and every note fits; C (Cm) is where it sounds at home.
| On the | Chord | Seventh chord |
|---|---|---|
| root (C) | Cmhome | Cm7home |
| 2 (D) | Dmcolour | Dm7colour |
| ♭3 (E♭) | E♭daylight | E♭maj7daylight |
| 4 (F) | Fthe door | F7the door |
| 5 (G) | Gmsoft fall | Gm7soft fall |
| 6 (A) | Adimthe edge | Am7♭5the edge |
| ♭7 (B♭) | B♭heroic | B♭maj7heroic |
Scales with the same notes
It has the same notes as the B♭ major scale, started from its second note, C.
Questions
What notes are in the C Dorian mode?
C, D, E♭, F, G, A and B♭. Its intervals from the root are 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7, and the steps between its notes are W H W W W H W (W a whole step, H a half step).
What chords go with the C Dorian mode?
The chords made only of its notes: Cm, Dm, E♭, F, Gm, Adim and B♭, and as seventh chords Cm7, Dm7, E♭maj7, F7, Gm7, Am7♭5 and B♭maj7. C is home: Cm is the chord it sounds most settled over.
The Dorian mode in every key
Other scales in C
C majorC minorC minor pentatonicC major pentatonicC bluesC MixolydianC LydianC PhrygianC harmonic minorC melodic minorC Phrygian dominant
Practise it on a sheet of your own in the practice sheet maker, with a metronome and a drone. Every scale: bass scales. This scale on guitar, ukulele, mandolin and banjo.