A Dorian #4 Charango Scale
Charango scale — fretboard diagramIntermediate
A Dorian #4 Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A Dorian #4 scale, known in Eastern Europe as the Ukrainian Dorian or Misheberak, has a deeply soulful, crying quality. On Charango, the notes are A, B, C, D#, E, F#, G. 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: A, B, C, D#, E, F#, G
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 A 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 A Dorian #4 on Charango
Begin by locating A on your instrument and play through the 7 notes of the Dorian #4 scale slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.
The A Dorian #4 scale contains 2 sharps (D#, F#). Its relative major is C major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Practice the A Dorian #4 scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 80 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 7 notes of the scale.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on A to let the characteristic intervals of the Dorian #4 scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in klezmer contexts.
Charango Tips
Practice the A 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 A Harmonic minor scale
The A Dorian #4 scale contains 7 notes (A, B, C, D#, E, F#, G). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Charango with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for A Dorian #4
The A 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 A Dorian #4 Further
- Browse chord progressions
- A Dorian #4 on Guitar
- A Dorian #4 on Ukulele
- A Dorian #4 on Bass
- A Dorian #4 on Piano