Guitar Scale Logic

Interactive Guitar Scale Finder

Guitar Scale Logic

A# Dorian Guitar Scale in Drop D

Dorian scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Drop D.

Formula 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7
Tuning E B G D A D
Scale Notes 7 notes

Interactive fretboard

Scale Map

Root notes are highlighted in amber. Use the buttons to isolate each five-fret position.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
E
E♯
F♯♯
G♯
A♯
B♯
C♯
D♯
E♯
F♯♯
G♯
A♯
B♯
C♯
B
B♯
C♯
D♯
E♯
F♯♯
G♯
A♯
B♯
C♯
D♯
E♯
F♯♯
G♯
G F♯♯
G♯
A♯
B♯
C♯
D♯
E♯
F♯♯
G♯
A♯
B♯
C♯
D♯
E♯
D
D♯
E♯
F♯♯
G♯
A♯
B♯
C♯
D♯
E♯
F♯♯
G♯
A♯
B♯
A
A♯
B♯
C♯
D♯
E♯
F♯♯
G♯
A♯
B♯
C♯
D♯
E♯
F♯♯
D
D♯
E♯
F♯♯
G♯
A♯
B♯
C♯
D♯
E♯
F♯♯
G♯
A♯
B♯
Root Note Scale Note

Scale Tablature

Position 1

E|---------------------------------1--3--4--|
B|------------------------1--2--4-----------|
G|---------------0--1--3--------------------|
D|---------1--3-----------------------------|
A|1--3--4-----------------------------------|
D|------------------------------------------|

0-4 frets • five-fret position fragment • 14 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 D tuning, the open strings run E B G D A D 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.

Overview

Dorian sounds minor but airy, with a lifted sixth. Try it for funk lines, modal jams and modern fusion phrasing. Drop D lowers the sixth string from E to D. The other five strings stay in Standard tuning, so only the low-string notes move.

Practice Tip

Bring out the natural 6th so it does not collapse back into natural minor. In Drop D, check the sixth-string frets before reusing a Standard-tuning pattern.

  • A♯
  • B♯
  • C♯
  • D♯
  • E♯
  • F♯♯
  • G♯

Suggested Chords

Works Well With This Scale

These chords contain notes from the selected scale.

  • A♯mminor
  • A♯m7minor 7
  • A♯sus2sus2
  • A♯sus4sus4
  • A♯5power
  • B♯mminor
  • B♯m7minor 7
  • B♯sus4sus4
  • B♯5power
  • C♯major