Playing the C Dorian #4 Scale
Learn the C Dorian #4 scale as C, D, Eb, F#, G, A and Bb. The F# is the raised fourth, a tritone above the root, and it is the only note that separates this scale from C Dorian.
There is no open string to help in this key, so the shapes are movable and found from the root alone: the 8th fret of the low E string, or the 3rd fret of the A string. The notes are G harmonic minor from its fourth degree. A short look at scale fingering keeps the shapes comfortable.
Play the C dorian #4 scale
Use the step menu in the player to switch between the single-string run and the box shapes.
Notes of the C dorian #4 scale
| Note | Degree | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 1 | Root | 0 |
| D | 2 | Major 2nd | 2 |
| Eb | b3 | Minor 3rd | 3 |
| F# | #4 | Tritone | 6 |
| G | 5 | Perfect 5th | 7 |
| A | 6 | Major 6th | 9 |
| Bb | b7 | Minor 7th | 10 |
Structure
C 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.
C Dorian #4 Scale Guitar Patterns
Static diagrams of every position shown in the player above.
On one string (B)
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 C dorian #4 scale
Stacking thirds on each degree of the scale gives these chords.
Scales with the same notes as C 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 |
|---|---|---|
| D Phrygian Dominant | 2 | Phrygian Dominant |
| Eb Lydian #2 | b3 | Lydian #2 Scale |
| F# Super Locrian bb7 | #4 | Ultra Locrian |
| G Harmonic Minor | 5 | Harmonic Minor |
| A Locrian #6 | 6 | Locrian natural 6 |
| Bb Ionian #5 | b7 | Ionian Augmented |
Other scales on C
Same root, different notes. Play them back to back to hear what changes.
- C Gipsy Hungarian: shares 5 notes
- C Dorian: 4 instead of #4
- C 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
