Ab Dorian #4 for Guitar
The Ab Dorian #4 scale consists of Ab, Bb, Cb, D, Eb, F and Gb. The raised fourth is D natural, and Cb is the flat third, which sounds like B but keeps the letters in order.
The root sits on the 4th fret of the low E string and on the 11th fret of the A string. The scale is the fourth mode of Eb harmonic minor. A scale exercise like breaking the scalar sound helps you phrase it.
Play the Ab dorian #4 scale
Use the step menu in the player to switch between the single-string run and the box shapes.
Notes of the Ab dorian #4 scale
| Note | Degree | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ab | 1 | Root | 0 |
| Bb | 2 | Major 2nd | 2 |
| Cb | b3 | Minor 3rd | 3 |
| D | #4 | Tritone | 6 |
| Eb | 5 | Perfect 5th | 7 |
| F | 6 | Major 6th | 9 |
| Gb | b7 | Minor 7th | 10 |
Structure
Ab dorian #4 scale notes:
How the dorian #4 scale is built:
The dorian #4 scale is built from the degrees 1 2 b3 #4 5 6 b7, which gives the step pattern W-H-W+H-H-W-H-W (W = whole step, H = half step).
Counting in semitones from the root: 0, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10. That makes it a 7-note scale.
It is mode 4 of the Harmonic Minor Scale, so both scales share the same notes from a different starting point.
It is also known as Ukrainian Dorian and Romanian Minor.
Ab Dorian #4 Scale Guitar Patterns
Static diagrams of every position shown in the player above.
On one string (G)
Box pattern — position 1
Box pattern — position 2
Box pattern — position 3
Box pattern — position 4
Box pattern — position 5
3 notes per string — position 1
3 notes per string — position 2
3 notes per string — position 3
3 notes per string — position 4
3 notes per string — position 5
Chords in the Ab dorian #4 scale
Stacking thirds on each degree of the scale gives these chords.
Scales with the same notes as Ab Dorian #4
These scales use exactly the same notes. Each one starts somewhere else, so the root and the mood change.
| Scale | Starts on degree | Learn the scale |
|---|---|---|
| Bb Phrygian Dominant | 2 | Phrygian Dominant |
| B Lydian #2 | b3 | Lydian #2 Scale |
| D Super Locrian bb7 | #4 | Ultra Locrian |
| Eb Harmonic Minor | 5 | Harmonic Minor |
| F Locrian #6 | 6 | Locrian natural 6 |
| F# Ionian #5 | b7 | Ionian Augmented |
Other scales on Ab
Same root, different notes. Play them back to back to hear what changes.
- Ab Gipsy Hungarian: shares 5 notes
- Ab Dorian: 4 instead of #4
- Ab Lydian Dominant: 3 instead of b3
The dorian #4 scale in other keys
Keep learning
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
