Solo class curriculum 1 - nomenclature for the dorian scale?

Hello - enjoying the material for the new class.

I have been drilling into my head the numbers of major scale notes getting my eyes and fingers used to their relative positions. As an exercise, I have been saying out loud the "number" of a note as I play the scale. This has helped me particularly find notes that I like to play such as the six and the 9, and the 1-3-5 notes of a triad.  Now that you have introduced the Dorian stuff, I am at a loss as to how to describe the extra notes... 

Not sure that is clear at all, but can you maybe elaborate or point me somewhere? 

Thanks, Crile

Hi Crile,

This might be a bit advanced but here you go: The A Dorian scale/mode (2nd mode of G major) formula is 1 (root), 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, b7.  The two flat notes (b3 and b7) are the only different notes comparing it to the major scale. Try calling out these new numbers as you play the scale. 

Here's a tutorial on Guitar Tricks that covers Dorian (as well as Phrygian and Aeolian modes):

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial/2630

I can definitely help you in more detail at a live 1 on 1 lesson with me. Here's the link to my live online teaching/coaching schedule if you are interested in going further:

https://guitartricks.as.me/schedule.php?calendarID=1274409

Best regards,

Dave Celentano

Ah, yes. That's it. I can just flat the 3 and the 7 from a major scale. Then the triad chord is 1, b3, 5. That's an A minor. There's something there I may figure out sooner or later. Thanks for the pointer - I'll try to make it through that tutorial...

The tutorial that Dave linked is one of mine.  It might be better to start on this one that explains the basics, origin & structure of all seven modes of the major scale.

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial/370

Essentially, if you give each note of the major scale a chance to start the scale sequence you wind up with a different set of intervals.  And thus a different sound.

So if you start any major scale on the 2nd note of the scale, and play through the scale to the next octave, you wind up with the dorian mode of that scale.  And that set of notes has a unique set of intervals.  In the dorian mode that's basically a minor scale with a major 6th.

1st - 2nd - minor 3rd - 4th - 5th - major 6th - minor 7th

The tutorial linked above goes through each of the 7 natural modes.

After you understand that all 7 modes are essentially just different ways of playing the major scale, and learn each of the resulting interval sets, then you can use it for it's unique sound irrespective of it's parent major scale.

And that is what these tutorials are about.

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial/770

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial/2630

Hope that helps!

Your tutorial explains the basics of musical modes. This is a great starting point for anyone who wants to learn about these unique scales.