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.

The D dorian mode is:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
D E F G A B C D.

Now you've played through the basic dorian scale, let's work through it using different step patterns. This will help familiarise yourself with the scale in a more musical way. Listen to the normal speed audio first. The patterns are clearer when played faster. And although the following descriptions sound elaborate, these are quite simple patterns. Just follow the ActionTab and listen for the patterns. You can use the Tablature view to get an overview as well.

The numbers are the order of notes as they appear in the scale. Listen / watch the ActionTab and you'll hear the same order of 8 notes is played each time, the only difference is the starting note.

Pattern 1: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 3 - 4 - 5

Then go to the 6th note and repeat the steps again until reaching the high D note. Drop back to the B note and hold it, using vibrato. The B note is the 6th note in the D dorian mode, and is the note that distinguishes it from the standard D natural minor scale. It sounds great so try to emphasise it in your solos. Then play the D note again once, before descending down through the next step pattern:

Pattern 2: 1 - 2 - 3 - 2 - 1 - 7 - 6 - 1

The next ascending lick is just a little something using the kind of 'box' formation found in this scale:

Pattern 3: Notice the picking is all downstrokes until ending on the B note again. This is like a controlled strum, or arpeggio. It will take practice to get right.

After that, we start getting a little more melodic by creating a couple of simple phrases. Just noodle around with the scale until you have got used to the note positions.