B Dorian #4 Banjo (5-String) Scale
Banjo (5-String) scale — fretboard diagramIntermediate
B Dorian #4 Scale — Notes and Intervals
The B Dorian #4 scale, known in Eastern Europe as the Ukrainian Dorian or Misheberak, has a deeply soulful, crying quality. On Banjo (5-String), the notes are B, C#, D, F, F#, G#, A. It is a pillar of Jewish Klezmer music and traditional Balkan folk songs. Commonly used in Klezmer, Balkan Folk, Metal, Film Scores. Notable players include Itzhak Perlman, Bregovic, System of a Down. Use over m7 chords in Klezmer and Balkan contexts. The #4 adds the exotic 'weeping' quality that defines these traditions.
Notes: B, C#, D, F, F#, G#, A
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 4A, 5P, 6M, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 b3 #4 5 6 b7
Formula: W-H-WH-H-W-H-W
Number of notes: 7
Also known as: ukrainian dorian, romanian minor, altered dorian
Musical Character
Also known as the Ukrainian Dorian or Misheberak mode. The #4 within a minor context creates the characteristic 'crying' quality of Jewish and Eastern European music.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Klezmer, Balkan Folk, Metal, Film Scores
Notable players: Itzhak Perlman, Bregovic, System of a Down
How to Use the B Dorian #4 Scale
Use over m7 chords in Klezmer and Balkan contexts. The #4 adds the exotic 'weeping' quality that defines these traditions.
Origin & Background
Known as the Ukrainian Dorian or Misheberak scale. A pillar of Jewish Klezmer music and traditional Balkan folk songs.
How to Play B Dorian #4 on Banjo (5-String)
Begin by locating B on your instrument and play through the 7 notes of the Dorian #4 scale slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.
The B Dorian #4 scale contains 3 sharps (C#, F#, G#). Its relative major is D major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the B Dorian #4 scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (B-D, C#-F) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on B to let the characteristic intervals of the Dorian #4 scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in metal contexts.
Banjo (5-String) Tips
Practice the B Dorian #4 scale slowly and evenly on your instrument, focusing on tone quality for each of the 7 notes before building speed. Aim for a soulful quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
Dorian #4 is the 4th mode of the Harmonic Minor scale. View B Harmonic minor scale
The B Dorian #4 scale contains 7 notes (B, C#, D, F, F#, G#, A). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Banjo (5-String) with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for B Dorian #4
The B Dorian #4 scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 7-note scale, it also lends itself to 3-notes-per-string (3NPS) patterns that facilitate legato playing and diagonal shifting. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore B Dorian #4 Further
- Browse chord progressions
- B Dorian #4 on Guitar
- B Dorian #4 on Ukulele
- B Dorian #4 on Bass
- B Dorian #4 on Piano