Dorian Pentatonics Lesson

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Backing Tracks

Tab

Guitar pro tab (?)

Members practicing this lesson:
malcolm

In this lesson, we'll focus on building cool dorian licks with the minor pentatonic scale. The secret is to add a Major sixth to the minor blues scale. The major sixth is what makes a minor scale sound dorian.

Memorize the few boxes and then work on the licks. These should be helpful to build your musical vocabulary.

Once again, practice slowly and confidently.

Have fun!

Lesson Questions, Feedback & Comments

Kristofer Dahl	20th November 2007
GMC Founder & Rocker	Lovely David! I also find there is a huge difference between playing the boxes you show here - and actually adding the b7 of the stadard pentatonic scale. The way you do it here really give sthe dorian touch!

Jeff	20th November 2007
Member	Wow David this is incredible! You always come up with the best backing tracks for your lessons too. What a cool funky beat. It will take a while to learn this one but it is inspiring.

The Uncreator	20th November 2007
Fire Up The Blades, Moderator	Very cool stuff, i love yours style man

Kizaze44	20th November 2007
Member	This is great. I've been struggling trying to solo using the full dorian mode (with all the notes). This puts things in perspective! Thanks! Kizaze

seagull	20th November 2007
Member	Hi David. Great sound and excellent phrasing! But I'm hoping that you cold help me out theory-wise, because I don't understand the connection between reading a scale formula and applying it to the guitar. My starting point is for instance the G octave on the low-E string and the D-string, and I know that it's an octave, hence the "8th" step in the scale. But how do I figure out what steps the other notes are? Im asking cuz I'm working on my ability to not solely rely on scale patterns, and instead be able to figure them out myself while playing. It seems to me that you REALLY know your theory, and I would just LOVE if you would make some theory-lessons with video, as I find texted lessons like Andrew's confusing. Thanks in advance!

Muris Varajic	20th November 2007
Instructor	Great use of maj 6 inside minor pentatonic, not typical dorian sound of 7 notes,well done David!!

Bedlam	20th November 2007
Member	Great lesson, I really enjoy the backing track!

Juan M. Valero	20th November 2007
Instructor	Excelent, Love how you use the modes

David Wallimann	20th November 2007
Instructor	QUOTE (seagull @ Nov 20 2007, 10:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi David. Great sound and excellent phrasing! But I'm hoping that you cold help me out theory-wise, because I don't understand the connection between reading a scale formula and applying it to the guitar. My starting point is for instance the G octave on the low-E string and the D-string, and I know that it's an octave, hence the "8th" step in the scale. But how do I figure out what steps the other notes are? Im asking cuz I'm working on my ability to not solely rely on scale patterns, and instead be able to figure them out myself while playing. It seems to me that you REALLY know your theory, and I would just LOVE if you would make some theory-lessons with video, as I find texted lessons like Andrew's confusing. Thanks in advance! Not sure I understand your question.. Are you basically asking how to find your own patterns to play a scale? If so, you can just take the pattern that I suggested, then write the notes down. In this case it would be G-A-bB-C-D-E-F With that in mind, you can simply find thgese notes on the fretboard and make your own scale paterns. I hope this helps. I love the idea of doing video theory lessons! I'll see what I can do and if we can use that format...

Pablo Vazquez	21st November 2007
Instructor	Hey, that´s so good!!!!!!! Excelent lesson!

seagull	22nd November 2007
Member	We really need a quote function here But what I wanted to know was how a scale formula can be applied to the guitar? For instance the minor pentatonic, we know the pattern thoroughly on the guitar, but the formula itself, and how to apply it to the guitar is what troubles me. 1-b3-4-5-b7 Lets assume it's the A-minor we're looking for, how do we know if the minor 3rd isn't just a major 2nd? or is it the same? The notes are of course A-C-D-E-G, but I just dont see the logic. 1-b3-4-5-b7 A-C-D-E-G What I don't get is why C can be the minor 3rd step? Why not just the 3rd step? Is it because of the half-tone step between B and C? If so, please explain a bit further. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A Im sorry if this is confusing, but I really wan't to understand the theory behind the music as well.

Muris Varajic	22nd November 2007
Instructor	Because note B is major 2nd to A,and C is his minor 3rd.

seagull	22nd November 2007
Member	Okay, then it makes more sense! So C# is a perfect 3rd to A?

Joe Kataldo	28th February 2008
Instructor	really cool backing track!

Carlos Carrillo	5th March 2008
Instructor	hey david!!!!!!!nice job!!!! excellent

Melodicintenions	4th April 2008
Member	nice job indeed bravo!