Quick Answer & Harmonic Definition

The A# Dorian guitar scale contains 7 notes: A#, C, C#, D#, F, G, G#. The step pattern is W–H–W–W–W–H–W (W = whole step = 2 semitones, H = half step = 1 semitone).

Guitar Scale

A# Dorian Guitar Scale

The second mode of the major scale. Like natural minor but with a raised 6th. Notes: A#, C, C#, D#, F, G, G#. Step pattern: W–H–W–W–W–H–W.

Notes
A# – C – C# – D# – F – G – G#
Step Pattern
W–H–W–W–W–H–W
Character
Minor + jazzy

A# Dorian Piano Keyboard Reference

2
C
3
C#
D
4
D#
E
5
F
F#
6
G
7
G#
A
1
A#
B

Each highlighted key shows its scale degree (1 = root). The same note set applies on the guitar fretboard — the layout above is shared for visual reference.

Playing the A# Dorian Scale on Guitar

The A# Dorian scale on guitar consists of 7 notes: A#, C, C#, D#, F, G, G#. The step pattern is W–H–W–W–W–H–W, where W is a whole step (2 semitones) and H is a half step (1 semitone). On the guitar fretboard, the A# Dorian scale is most commonly played using two-notes-per-string fingering across a single position, with the root A# positioned on the 6th or 5th string.

Interval Structure of A# Dorian

Degree Interval Semitones Note in A#
1 Root (R) 0 A#
2 Major 2nd 2 C
3 Minor 3rd 3 C#
4 Perfect 4th 5 D#
5 Perfect 5th 7 F
6 Major 6th 9 G
7 Minor 7th 10 G#

How to Practice A# Dorian on Guitar

Start with a metronome at 60 BPM playing eighth notes ascending and descending. Use alternate picking (down-up). Focus on clean hammer-ons and pull-offs between scale tones. Increase the tempo by 5 BPM once each pass is clean. Practice in one fretboard position first, then expand across the neck using CAGED positions to cover the full range of the A# Dorian scale.

Songs That Use the Dorian Scale

The Dorian scale appears in Jazz, funk, rock, Celtic music. Guitar solos in the key of A# major frequently draw from this scale. Improvising with the A# Dorian scale over a A# chord or progression will produce phrases that fit naturally in this musical context.

Other A# Guitar Scales

A# Major
Bright, happy
A# Natural Minor
Sad, melancholic
A# Harmonic Minor
Exotic, dramatic
A# Melodic Minor
Smooth, jazzy
A# Major Pentatonic
Bright, versatile
A# Minor Pentatonic
Bluesy, soulful

Dorian Scale in All 12 Keys on Guitar

C Dorian C# Dorian D Dorian D# Dorian E Dorian F Dorian F# Dorian G Dorian G# Dorian A Dorian A# Dorian B Dorian
Virtual Guitar
Interactive fretboard
A# Dorian General
Cross-instrument view
A# Chord
Tonic chord
Metronome
Practice tool

Knowledge Base & FAQs

A# Dorian Guitar Scale — FAQ

Everything you need to know about our browser-based Web Audio engine, instruments, and music theory workspace.

What notes are in the A# Dorian guitar scale?

The A# Dorian guitar scale contains 7 notes: A#, C, C#, D#, F, G, G#.

The step pattern is W–H–W–W–W–H–W (W = whole step = 2 semitones, H = half step = 1 semitone).

How do I play the A# Dorian scale on guitar?

To play the A# Dorian scale on guitar, start from your root note A# on the 6th or 5th string.

The scale fingering follows the W–H–W–W–W–H–W pattern. The most common position is two-notes-per-string which lets you cover the scale across one fretboard position.

What is the character of the Dorian scale on guitar?

The Dorian scale sounds minor + jazzy.

The second mode of the major scale. Like natural minor but with a raised 6th. It is most commonly used in Jazz, funk, rock, Celtic music.

Is the A# Dorian scale good for guitar solos?

Yes.

The A# Dorian scale is a major-type scale and works well for improvisation when the backing chord or key matches. Use it over a A# chord or any progression in the key of A# major.

What is the difference between A# Dorian and the A# major scale?

The A# Dorian scale uses a different interval pattern (W–H–W–W–W–H–W) than the A# major scale (W-W-H-W-W-W-H).

This gives it a minor + jazzy character versus the bright, happy sound of the major scale.

What guitar songs use the A# Dorian scale?

The Dorian scale is common in Jazz, funk, rock, Celtic music.

Any guitar solo in the key of A# major draws primarily from this scale. Practice improvising along with backing tracks in the key of A#.

How many fretboard positions are there for A# Dorian on guitar?

The A# Dorian scale can be played in 5 distinct CAGED positions on the guitar fretboard, plus two-notes-per-string and three-notes-per-string patterns spanning the entire neck.

Each position shifts the root A# to a different fret on the 6th or 5th string.

Should I learn A# Dorian in every key?

After mastering A# Dorian in A#, practice the same shape in all 12 keys.

The interval pattern remains identical — only the starting fret changes. The CAGED system makes it easier to transpose guitar scales across the neck.

What is the relative minor of A# Dorian?

The relative minor of A# Dorian is G minor (Aeolian).

Both scales share the same notes but have a different tonal center.

How do I practice the A# Dorian guitar scale with a metronome?

Start at 60 BPM, playing eighth notes ascending and descending.

Use alternate picking (down-up). Increase by 5 BPM once clean at each tempo. Practice with a drum loop or our free online metronome to maintain steady timing.