Guitar Scale Logic
B Dorian Guitar Scale in Drop D
Dorian scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Drop D.
Scale Tablature
Position 1
E|------------------------------0--2--4--| B|------------------------2--3-----------| G|---------------1--2--4-----------------| D|------0--2--4--------------------------| A|2--4-----------------------------------| D|---------------------------------------|
0-4 frets • five-fret position fragment • 13 notes
Theory & Context
Why This Shape Works
The B Dorian scale uses B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯, A 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 B 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 D lowers the sixth string from E to D. The other five strings stay in Standard tuning, so only the low-string notes move.
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.
- B
- C♯
- D
- E
- F♯
- G♯
- A
Suggested Chords
Works Well With This Scale
These chords contain notes from the selected scale.
- Bmminor
- Bm7minor 7
- Bsus2sus2
- Bsus4sus4
- B5power
- C♯mminor
- C♯m7minor 7
- C♯sus4sus4
- C♯5power
- Dmajor