Guitar Scale Logic
A Dorian Guitar Scale in Drop C
Dorian scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Drop C.
Scale Tablature
Position 1
D|------------------------------0--2--4--| A|------------------------2--3-----------| F|---------------1--2--4-----------------| C|------0--2--4--------------------------| G|2--4-----------------------------------| C|---------------------------------------|
0-4 frets • five-fret position fragment • 13 notes
Theory & Context
Why This Shape Works
The A Dorian scale uses A, B, C, D, E, F♯, G and the formula 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7. In Drop C tuning, the open strings run D A F C G C from highest to lowest, so use this map rather than a Standard-tuning shape. Use the map to locate each A root, then select a five-fret position to see its tablature. The chord suggestions use notes from this scale.
Dorian sounds minor but airy, with a lifted sixth. Try it for funk lines, modal jams and modern fusion phrasing. Drop C is C-G-C-F-A-D from low to high. Compared with Standard, the top five strings are a whole tone lower and the sixth string is two whole tones lower.
Bring out the natural 6th so it does not collapse back into natural minor. In Drop C, learn the sixth-string notes separately before connecting them to the upper strings.
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
- F♯
- G
Suggested Chords
Works Well With This Scale
These chords contain notes from the selected scale.
- Amminor
- Am7minor 7
- Asus2sus2
- Asus4sus4
- A5power
- Bmminor
- Bm7minor 7
- Bsus4sus4
- B5power
- Cmajor