6 String Freedom

Part 11: Modes with an audible reason · Lesson 098 / 117

Dorian changes the sixth of natural minor

Today’s one thing

Hear F# instead of F while A stays home.

A Dorian is A–B–C–D–E–F#–G. Compared with A natural minor, only F changes to F#. The formula is 1–2–b3–4–5–6–b7.

The minor third C remains, so the basic tonic triad is still Am. The natural sixth F# is the distinguishing comparison with Aeolian here. It does not turn the tonic chord into A major.

First hear A–F–A, then A–F#–A against a clearly A-centred reference. Keep the rhythm and register identical. Listen for the changed colour rather than trying to label an emotion that must apply in every context.

You can also derive A Dorian from A minor pentatonic by adding B and F#. This connects the new sound to notes already under your fingers. We will let the harmony reinforce that sixth in the next lesson.

Hear it

A Dorian

Audio file

Four-beat count-in · 60 BPM · Warm sampled electric guitar. Listen once before playing along.

A concrete example

A natural minor: A B C D E F G. A Dorian: A B C D E F# G. Changed degree: b6→6.

Fretboard view

Tap a labelled note to hear it. High E/string 1 is at the top, matching tablature.

Root / tonicChord toneChanged / colour noteTarget noteOther scale note
A Dorian
A natural minor with F# instead of F.
Guitar fretboard from open strings to fret 4; A Dorian. Notes and highlighted targets labeled.
The characteristic sound comes from the raised sixth, not from a new box shape alone.

Use this as a note map, not a speed test. Once the relationships make sense, play them without looking.

Try it, slowly

  1. Play and name F and F# above A.
  2. Keep C fixed to confirm the minor third.
  3. Play a short A–C–F#–E–A phrase with A as the clear return.

Check one idea

What makes A Dorian different from A natural minor?

Show the explanation

The sixth is F# rather than F. Both retain C as the minor third and G as the minor seventh above A.

A good place to stop

You can demonstrate the single changed interval with the same tonic.

Return to the example after a short break. A clear explanation matters more than speed.