A Dorian #4 Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Open C tuning — fretboard diagram
A Dorian #4 in Open C — 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 Guitar, 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
Tuning: Open C (C-G-C-G-C-E)
Also known as: ukrainian dorian, romanian minor, altered dorian
About Open C Tuning
Open C tuning (C-G-C-G-C-E) produces a C major chord when strummed open, with an enormous bass depth from the low C string (two whole steps below standard E). The tuning spans a vast tonal range that gives compositions an almost orchestral scope, making it a favorite for both delicate fingerstyle and crushing heavy music.
John Butler's 'Ocean' — one of the most famous modern fingerstyle compositions — is performed in Open C, showcasing the tuning's incredible dynamic range from thundering bass to shimmering harmonics. Devin Townsend uses Open C extensively across his catalog for its massive, wall-of-sound potential. Jimmy Page used it on Led Zeppelin's 'Friends' from Led Zeppelin III. Soundgarden also explored Open C. The three C strings and two G strings create powerful octave resonances that make even simple chord shapes sound huge.
Notable artists: John Butler, Devin Townsend, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Soundgarden, William Ackerman
Best for: Cinematic fingerstyle compositions, progressive metal walls of sound, post-rock textures, and any music that needs enormous tonal range from deep bass to bright treble
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.
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- A Dorian #4 in Standard Tuning
- A Dorian #4 in Drop D
- A Dorian #4 in DADGAD
- A Dorian #4 in Open G
- A Dorian #4 in Baritone (B Standard)
- A Dorian #4 in 7-string
- A Dorian #4 in 8-string
- A Dorian #4 in Drop C
- A Dorian #4 in Drop B
- A Dorian #4 in Open D
- A Dorian #4 in Half Step Down
- A Dorian #4 in Open E
- A Dorian #4 in Open A
- A Dorian #4 in Double Drop D