A Dorian Cavaquinho Scale
Cavaquinho scale — fretboard diagramIntermediate
A Dorian Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A Dorian scale is the second mode of the major scale, offering a soulful and sophisticated minor sound. On Cavaquinho, it contains the notes A, B, C, D, E, F#, G. Because it features a major sixth, it sounds brighter and more hopeful than the natural minor. It is the go-to scale for jazz, funk, and modal blues. The diatonic chords of A Dorian are Am7, Bm7, CMaj7, D7, Em7, F#m7b5, GMaj7. Commonly used in Funk, Jazz, Fusion, Neo-Soul, Blues. Notable players include Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, D'Angelo. Use over m7, m9, m11, m13 chords. The go-to scale for any minor chord in funk, jazz, and soul. Works especially well over long minor vamps.
Notes: A, B, C, D, E, F#, G
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6M, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7
Formula: W-H-W-W-W-H-W
Number of notes: 7
Diatonic Chords
Am7 — Bm7 — CMaj7 — D7 — Em7 — F♯m7♭5 — GMaj7
Musical Character
The natural 6th degree (vs b6 in Aeolian) gives Dorian its signature 'hopeful minor' character — darker than major, but brighter than natural minor.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Funk, Jazz, Fusion, Neo-Soul, Blues
Notable players: Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, D'Angelo
How to Use the A Dorian Scale
Use over m7, m9, m11, m13 chords. The go-to scale for any minor chord in funk, jazz, and soul. Works especially well over long minor vamps.
Origin & Background
Named after the ancient Greek Dorians. Central to modal jazz since Miles Davis's Kind of Blue (1959).
How to Play A Dorian on Cavaquinho
Begin by locating A on your instrument and play through the 7 notes of the Dorian scale slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.
The A Dorian scale contains 1 sharp (F#). Its relative major is C major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the A Dorian scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (A-C, B-D) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
Try these progressions with the A Dorian scale: Am7 - D7 - Em7 - Am7 (I-IV-V-I) or Am7 - Bm7 - D7 - Em7 for a more stepwise movement. This scale is especially effective in funk contexts.
Cavaquinho Tips
Practice the A Dorian 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 is the 2nd mode of the Major scale. View A Major scale
Chord Progressions Using This Scale
- I – V – vi – IV (Pop Progression)Pop / Rock — Hope & Joy
- vi – IV – I – V (Melancholic Variation)Pop / Rock — Melancholy
- ii – V – I (Jazz ii–V–I)Jazz / Soul — Sophistication
- ii – bII7 – I (Tritone Substitution)Jazz / Soul — Mystery & Tension
- IV – V – iii – vi (Royal Road (J-Pop))World / J-Pop — Yearning & Nostalgia
- IV – V – iii – vi – ii – V – I (Japanese Circle)World / J-Pop — Complete Resolution
- i – iv – i – V (Minor Blues)Blues — Melancholy
- i – VI – III – VII (Cinematic Minor)Contemporary / Film — Dramatic & Dark
- vi – viM7 – vi7 – II (Descending Minor Cliché)Classical / Pop — Romance & Intrigue
- iv – ♭VII – I (Backdoor Cadence)Jazz / Soul — Soulful & Unexpected
The A Dorian scale contains 7 notes (A, B, C, D, E, F#, G). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Cavaquinho with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for A Dorian
The A Dorian 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.