This exercise is from the Jamzone where we are looking at using the modes to add flavour to a basic 2-5-1 Chord progression in the Key of C major. Make sure you have read the article. Modes can be confusing at first, but are worth learning because they open the door to a wide variety of melodic opportunities.

Here we play through the basic D Dorian Scale Pattern. This works well over chords in the Key of C major. The notes are the same as C major (C D E F G A B C), but in the following order:

D - E - F - G - A - B - C - D

We ascend and descend through 2 octaves here.

This scale is considered a type of D minor scale. If you look at the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes you will find they are D-F-A which are the notes of the D minor chord. Therefore the scale has more in common with D minor than C major (harmonically speaking) even though all the notes are the same. Remember that when we originally constructed our backing chord progression, it was from the harmonized scale. We got different chords from the 8 notes of the C major scale. All we are doing is extending that process to full scales, rather than just the 1-3-5 triads.

This example is for D dorian, but if you know the pattern you'll be able to play the dorian mode for any scale. To do that, just apply the same scale pattern from the appropriate note. e.g. if you use this pattern starting at fret 7 (the B note) you will then be playing the B Dorian!

Make sure you practice this exercise and the next. Those fingers must know their way before creating melodies.