Dorian Improvisation

Learn how to use the Dorian mode for guitar improvisation. Examples of harmony, chord progressions and improvising ideas.

The first example pens out a C Dorian scale and how it is related to the chord progression in the following piece of music. As Dorian is the second mode it shares the same notes as Bb major. A quick look at this progression, however, you see that C is clearly the tonal center. The progression works well in a soul/blues setting, but, by all means, if your style is more towards death metal there is surely a way to make it work! Below is a backing track with the chord progression to practice improvising with the scale.