Guitar Scale Logic

Interactive Guitar Scale Finder

Guitar Scale Logic

F# 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♯
A
G
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|------------------------------------0--2--|
B|------------------------------2--4--------|
G|---------------------1--2--4--------------|
D|------------1--2--4-----------------------|
A|---0--2--4--------------------------------|
D|4-----------------------------------------|

0-4 frets • five-fret position fragment • 14 notes

Theory & Context

Why This Shape Works

The F# Dorian scale uses F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D♯, E 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 F# 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.

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

Suggested Chords

Works Well With This Scale

These chords contain notes from the selected scale.

  • F♯mminor
  • F♯m7minor 7
  • F♯sus2sus2
  • F♯sus4sus4
  • F♯5power
  • G♯mminor
  • G♯m7minor 7
  • G♯sus4sus4
  • G♯5power
  • Amajor