The Dorian mode is the second of the modes. That means you have to start at the second note in the Major scale to play it. If you are not sure about the five Major scale forms, you should put it into your fingers.
The five major scale forms. Black dots are roots.
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The Dorian mode sounds brighter that it's Major and minor counterpart. Comparing a D Dorian to it's major and minor we see the difference.
D Dorian
Compared to the D Major we see that the Dorian has a b3 and b7. Compared to the minor the only difference is the Major 6th in the Dorian. Comparing the sound of the three scales we hear that the Dorian sound brighter than it's minor and Major counterparts.
How to practice the Dorian
1. A good way to start is to use a pedal note or a chord. Record a D minor 7 chord vamp and play the D Dorian scale over it. This will familiarize you with it's sounds.
2. Record some chord changes like D min7, G7 or G9, D min7, G7 or G9. Play over them and take special notice of the chord notes root, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9ths.You should know when playing them and they also make a good starting/ending point for a solo/melody.
3. Transpose everything to a new key and play again.
Remember: The modes only sound modal when you are playing them over the correct mode. A modal scale does little or nothing on it's own.
Files:
Guitar Pro 5: D_Dorian.gp5
Midi: D_Dorian.mid
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