A# Dorian Mode for Guitar
A#, B#, C#, D#, E#, F## and G# make up the A# Dorian scale, built on G# major. The double sharp makes it awkward to read, so most players think of it as Bb Dorian. The two sound the same, and the root is on the 6th fret of the low E string.
Play the A# dorian scale
Use the step menu in the player to switch between the single-string run and the box shapes.
Notes of the A# dorian scale
| Note | Degree | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| A# | 1 | Root | 0 |
| B# | 2 | Major 2nd | 2 |
| C# | b3 | Minor 3rd | 3 |
| D# | 4 | Perfect 4th | 5 |
| E# | 5 | Perfect 5th | 7 |
| F## | 6 | Major 6th | 9 |
| G# | b7 | Minor 7th | 10 |
Structure
A# dorian scale notes:
How the dorian scale is built:
The dorian scale is built from the degrees 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7, which gives the step pattern W-H-W-W-W-H-W (W = whole step, H = half step).
Counting in semitones from the root: 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10. That makes it a 7-note scale.
It is mode 2 of the Major Scale, so both scales share the same notes from a different starting point.
A# Dorian Scale Guitar Patterns
Static diagrams of every position shown in the player above.
On one string (A)
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 A# dorian scale
Stacking thirds on each degree of the scale gives these chords.
Related modes
These scales share the same notes as the dorian scale, starting from a different degree.
The dorian scale in other keys
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
