Dorian Scale on Guitar: 5 Killer Ways to Use It and Sound Like a Pro

If you’re serious about guitar soloing, there’s one scale you NEED to master that separates the amateurs from the pros—the Dorian scale on guitar.

The Dorian mode is the secret weapon of countless blues, rock, jazz, and fusion guitarists. It’s the sound of Carlos Santana’s fiery licks, John Frusciante’s melodic solos, and Robben Ford’s blues-jazz mastery. But most guitar players either don’t know how to use it properly or stick to basic pentatonics, missing out on a massive world of expressive phrasing.

If you want to unlock richer, more expressive solos, I’m going to show you five ways to play the Dorian scale on guitar that will transform your playing. You’ll learn:
✔ How to visualize and play the Dorian mode across the fretboard
✔ How to mix it with pentatonics for instant pro-level phrasing
✔ Why the Dorian scale sounds “smoother” than minor pentatonic
✔ How to use the Dorian scale over backing tracks and real songs
✔ How FretDeck makes learning the Dorian scale effortless

And stick around to join our Guitar Freaks Discord, where you can jam, share solos, and get real feedback to take your playing to the next level.

Let’s dive in! 🎸🔥

---

What is the Dorian Scale on Guitar?

The Dorian scale, or Dorian mode, is a minor scale with a major 6th—which gives it a smoother, jazzier, and funkier sound than a standard minor scale.

Formula for the Dorian Scale:

✔ 1 – 2 – b3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – b7 – 1

How is it Different from the Minor Scale?

The only difference between Dorian and Natural Minor is the 6th note:
✔ Dorian has a MAJOR 6th (instead of a minor 6th)

This single note gives the Dorian mode its signature sound—a mix of bluesy grit and jazzy smoothness.

---

1. The Classic 5-Note “Dorian Pentatonic” Shape

The fastest way to start using the Dorian scale on guitar is by adding one note to the minor pentatonic.

🎸 Standard A Minor Pentatonic:

e|-----------------5--8--|  
B|-------------5--8------|  
G|---------5--7---------|  
D|-----5--7------------|  
A|--5--7---------------|  
E|--5--8---------------|  

🔥 Now, ADD the 6th note (F# in A Dorian) to create a Dorian pentatonic sound:

🎸 A Dorian Scale with Pentatonic Feel:

e|-----------------5--7--8--|  
B|-------------5--7--8------|  
G|---------4--5--7---------|  
D|-----4--5--7------------|  
A|--5--7------------------|  
E|--5--7--8---------------|  

🔥 Pro Tip: When soloing, land on the 6th note (F# in A Dorian) to highlight that Dorian sound.

👉 FretDeck helps you visualize scales instantly, so you NEVER get lost on the fretboard. Get it here.

---

2. The Carlos Santana Trick: Mixing Dorian with Minor Pentatonic

Carlos Santana built his entire soloing style on the Dorian mode. His trick?
✔ Start in the minor pentatonic (for bluesy grit)
✔ Slide into Dorian notes (for a smoother sound)

🎸 How to Mix Dorian and Pentatonic (Key of Dm/Dorian):

• Start with the D Minor Pentatonic scale
• Add the B note (6th degree)
• Use slides between pentatonic and Dorian notes for fluidity

🔥 Pro Tip: Santana often holds the major 6th (B in D Dorian) for long, sustaining notes. Try it!

---

3. The Frusciante Funk Method: Dorian for Funk Chords & Riffs

John Frusciante’s solos with the Red Hot Chili Peppers often rely on Dorian mode—especially in funky, groove-based songs.

How to Use the Dorian Scale in Funk:

✔ Play Dorian-based double stops (two-note chords)
✔ Use chromatic slides and pull-offs
✔ Play syncopated rhythms instead of straight blues licks

🎸 Example Funky A Dorian Riff:

e|-----------------------------|  
B|--------7h9p7---------------|  
G|------7-------7-------------|  
D|--7h9-----------9-7---------|  
A|--------------------9--------|  
E|----------------------------|  

🔥 Pro Tip: Keep your picking hand loose and percussive to add a funkier feel.

---

4. The Robben Ford Fusion Approach: Dorian for Jazzy Blues

Robben Ford and jazz-blues players use the Dorian scale to create smoother, more sophisticated solos than standard blues licks.

How to Use the Dorian Scale in Jazz-Blues:

✔ Target the 6th note over minor chords for a jazzy sound
✔ Use arpeggios mixed with the Dorian scale
✔ Avoid the root note too much—highlight chord tones instead

🎸 Example Dorian Lick in G Dorian:

e|----------------------7--|  
B|------------6h8---10---|  
G|------5h7--------------|  
D|--5h7------------------|  
A|------------------------|  
E|------------------------|  

🔥 Pro Tip: Play over a slow blues backing track and aim for smooth, flowing phrasing instead of choppy licks.

---

5. The “Dorian Scale Everywhere” Fretboard Mastery Method

If you want to completely own the Dorian scale on guitar, you need to see it all over the neck. The trick? Learn it in multiple positions.

🎸 5 Dorian Scale Positions in A Dorian:

pgsqlCopyEditPosition 1: (5th fret)  
e|----------------5--7--8--|  
B|------------5--7--8------|  
G|--------4--5--7---------|  
D|----4--5--7------------|  
A|--5--7------------------|  
E|--5--7--8---------------|  

Position 2: (Starting on 7th fret)  
e|----------------7--8--10--|  
B|-------------7--8--10----|  
G|--------7--9------------|  
D|-----7--9--------------|  
A|--7--9-----------------|  
E|--7--8--10-------------|  

🔥 Pro Tip: Use FretDeck to visualize these positions instantly and connect them across the neck. Get it here.

---

Master the Dorian Scale Faster with FretDeck

To solo effortlessly using the Dorian scale, you need to:
✔ Know the scale in every position
✔ Mix it with pentatonic and major/minor scales
✔ Develop fluid phrasing techniques

That’s where FretDeck helps.

🎯 Why FretDeck Works:
✔ Teaches scales in EVERY key with interactive exercises
✔ Helps you visualize scale connections instantly
✔ Speeds up your fretboard memorization

👉 Get FretDeck today and start playing Dorian like a pro!

---

Join Our Guitar Freaks Discord – Learn, Jam & Get Feedback

Want to improve even faster? Join our Guitar Freaks Discord, where you can:

✅ Get feedback on your solos
✅ Jam over Dorian mode backing tracks
✅ Learn from other guitarists in real-time

👉 Join our Discord here:

---

Now grab your guitar and start using the Dorian scale like a pro! 🎸🔥

For a deeper dive into mastering the Dorian scale and its application in blues soloing, explore our comprehensive guide on Dorian Scale Guitar: Unlock Blues Soloing Power.​Guitar Freaks Blog+2Guitar Freaks Blog+2Guitar Freaks Blog+2

For additional resources on the Dorian mode, check out this detailed lesson on Dorian Mode for Guitar