Position 2 of 7 · Dorian Mode · Key of D

D Dorian Mode

Minor with raised 6th

The D Dorian is the 2nd mode of the D Major scale. It has a minor but hopeful, jazzy, soulful, funky character. On guitar it appears at Position 2 in the fretboard pattern — root note D.

Notes in the D Dorian

D · E · F · G · A · B · C

Step Formula

W = Whole step (2 frets) · H = Half step (1 fret)

W H W W W H W

Intervals

1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7

Sound CharacterMinor but hopeful, jazzy, soulful, funky

Parent Major ScaleD Major — D Dorian shares the same notes as D Major but starts on D

Best Used InJazz, Blues, Funk, Rock, Fusion

Famous ExamplesSo What (Miles Davis), Oye Como Va (Santana), Smoke on the Water

Key insight: The natural 6th is what separates Dorian from natural minor. That one note creates the warm, jazzy quality.

The 5 Missing Notes™ — Beyond D Dorian

The D Dorian is one of 7 diatonic modes in the Dead Sea Scales system. Using the 5 Missing Notes™ framework, each mode generates 7 extended variations — giving you access to all 42 total modes in any key including D.

Same Mode, Every Key

The Dorian pattern is identical in every key — the formula never changes. Explore the same mode in other keys:

Hear the D Dorian on a live fretboard

Select key D · Mode Dorian · Play notes with audio · See all 42 exotic variations

Open Free Interactive Tool →

D Dorian Mode

Notes in the D Dorian

Step Formula

Intervals

The 5 Missing Notes™ — Beyond D Dorian

Same Mode, Every Key

Hear the D Dorian on a live fretboard

DEEP DIVES