Dorian and Major.
Discussion
Why does my brain always want to resolve a Dorian down to the Major? For instance, I don't play around a lot of F Major but anytime I'm playing in G Dorian I'm just jonesing to drop down.
Obviously it's easier playing over a chord progression that's Dorian based but if I'm practicing on my own I just can't stick in Dorian.
Obviously it's easier playing over a chord progression that's Dorian based but if I'm practicing on my own I just can't stick in Dorian.
cherryowen said:
When you're playing G Dorian, you're still playing F major because Dorian is the second mode of the major scale.
You're still playing a F major scale, just starting on the G note rather than the F.
F major = F G A A# C D E
G Dorian = G A Bb C D E F
Yeah cherry I know that, it was kind of the point of my post! You're still playing a F major scale, just starting on the G note rather than the F.
F major = F G A A# C D E
G Dorian = G A Bb C D E F
I find it very difficult to stay in the G Dorian mode of that scale because my brain always shifts me into the F Major mode. It's ike my brain has Major key bias, which may actually be a thing.
br d said:
cherryowen said:
When you're playing G Dorian, you're still playing F major because Dorian is the second mode of the major scale.
You're still playing a F major scale, just starting on the G note rather than the F.
F major = F G A A# C D E
G Dorian = G A Bb C D E F
Yeah cherry I know that, it was kind of the point of my post! You're still playing a F major scale, just starting on the G note rather than the F.
F major = F G A A# C D E
G Dorian = G A Bb C D E F
I find it very difficult to stay in the G Dorian mode of that scale because my brain always shifts me into the F Major mode. It's ike my brain has Major key bias, which may actually be a thing.
Maybe you're soloing over an F major chord progression, in which case an F major scale will naturally resolve. But if the chord progression is based on G Dorian,, then Dorian will be the better scale to use.
Example
Chords F A# C Dm = F major
Chords Gm C Dm Em = G Dorian
I've not got my little book of music theory with me, as I'm in the garden of a cottage in the middle of the Lake District, typing on a tablet after a bottle and a half of red.
I may regret this post tomorrow!
br d said:
Why does my brain always want to resolve a Dorian down to the Major? For instance, I don't play around a lot of F Major but anytime I'm playing in G Dorian I'm just jonesing to drop down.
Obviously it's easier playing over a chord progression that's Dorian based but if I'm practicing on my own I just can't stick in Dorian.
What is the context of what you are playing? Or are you just noodling?Obviously it's easier playing over a chord progression that's Dorian based but if I'm practicing on my own I just can't stick in Dorian.
Yep the Harmonic context totally determines the mode.
If you're just noodling round the scale then your ear could want to pull you down.
Record a backing track using a typical Dorian progression say Gm-C7 and play over that.
You won't want to go to F major as the total centre is set in G
I like to approach Dorian just as a standard minor pentatonic but replace the b7 with a nat 6... You can then add in the 9 (& b7) but it means that you're still using your pentatonic licks which you've used forever and resolving them in the correct way whereas when you come at from a scaleic fashion it can be easy to be too linear and unmusical
If you're just noodling round the scale then your ear could want to pull you down.
Record a backing track using a typical Dorian progression say Gm-C7 and play over that.
You won't want to go to F major as the total centre is set in G
I like to approach Dorian just as a standard minor pentatonic but replace the b7 with a nat 6... You can then add in the 9 (& b7) but it means that you're still using your pentatonic licks which you've used forever and resolving them in the correct way whereas when you come at from a scaleic fashion it can be easy to be too linear and unmusical
Edited by dojo on Thursday 17th September 10:41
I've tried lots of things and some suggestions here, thanks.
Say you pick the High G on the first string for a while, then play some chords from G Dorian, then back to picking that High G on first. Then play slowly and firmly back down the neck in G Dorian scale finishing on the 6th string third fret. Is your brain happy there? Mine is just itching to drop down 2 frets to the F!
Say you pick the High G on the first string for a while, then play some chords from G Dorian, then back to picking that High G on first. Then play slowly and firmly back down the neck in G Dorian scale finishing on the 6th string third fret. Is your brain happy there? Mine is just itching to drop down 2 frets to the F!
Back home now, and typing on a proper keyboard in the warmth of my study!
Brad, have a noodle along to this:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2UcjgX2rbY
This is a jam track in G Dorian that uses just two chords. The occasional foray into an F major scale works, but it works nicely in G Dorian.
BTW, chusss does great jam tracks that specialise in particular keys / modes. It's worth subscribing to.
Brad, have a noodle along to this:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2UcjgX2rbY
This is a jam track in G Dorian that uses just two chords. The occasional foray into an F major scale works, but it works nicely in G Dorian.
BTW, chusss does great jam tracks that specialise in particular keys / modes. It's worth subscribing to.
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