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Cavaquinho Standard
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A Dorian scale on cavaquinho

The A Dorian scale has 7 notes: A B C D E F♯ G (A, B, C, D, E, F sharp, and G).

  1. A 1
  2. B 2
  3. C ♭3
  4. D 4
  5. E 5
  6. F♯ F sharp 6
  7. G ♭7
A Dorian scale on cavaquinho: the whole fretboard with the notes A, B, C, D, E, F#, G, from fret 0 to 17

Whole neck: every note of the scale up to fret 17. The root (A) is highlighted.

Positions as text

Position 6 (frets 4 to 8), from the lowest note to the highest:

  • string 4: 4 (F♯), 5 (G), 7 (A)
  • string 3: 4 (B), 5 (C), 7 (D)
  • string 2: 5 (E), 7 (F♯), 8 (G)
  • string 1: 7 (A)

Position 7 (frets 5 to 9), from the lowest note to the highest:

  • string 4: 5 (G), 7 (A), 9 (B)
  • string 3: 5 (C), 7 (D), 9 (E)
  • string 2: 7 (F♯), 8 (G)
  • string 1: 7 (A), 9 (B)

Position 1 (frets 7 to 11), from the lowest note to the highest:

  • string 4: 7 (A), 9 (B), 10 (C)
  • string 3: 7 (D), 9 (E), 11 (F♯)
  • string 2: 8 (G), 10 (A)
  • string 1: 9 (B), 10 (C)

Position 2 (frets 9 to 13), from the lowest note to the highest:

  • string 4: 9 (B), 10 (C), 12 (D)
  • string 3: 9 (E), 11 (F♯), 12 (G)
  • string 2: 10 (A), 12 (B), 13 (C)
  • string 1: 12 (D)

Position 3 (frets 10 to 14), from the lowest note to the highest:

  • string 4: 10 (C), 12 (D), 14 (E)
  • string 3: 11 (F♯), 12 (G), 14 (A)
  • string 2: 12 (B), 13 (C)
  • string 1: 12 (D), 14 (E)

Position 4 (frets 12 to 16), from the lowest note to the highest:

  • string 4: 12 (D), 14 (E), 16 (F♯)
  • string 3: 12 (G), 14 (A), 16 (B)
  • string 2: 13 (C), 15 (D)
  • string 1: 14 (E), 16 (F♯)

Position 5 (frets 14 to 17), from the lowest note to the highest:

  • string 4: 14 (E), 16 (F♯), 17 (G)
  • string 3: 14 (A), 16 (B), 17 (C)
  • string 2: 15 (D), 17 (E)
  • string 1: 16 (F♯), 17 (G)

Fretboard positions

Each position fits within 5 frets, with 2 to 3 notes per string, and starts on a scale note on the lowest string. Position 1 starts on the root (A).

On the cavaquinho the strings sit close together in pitch, and the 3-notes-per-string shape from the guitar would turn into a 7-fret stretch. That is why each position here fits within 5 frets.

Use Degrees to see the role of each note (1 is the root) and Listen to hear the selected position going up and down.

Formula

  1. A
  2. W
  3. B
  4. H
  5. C
  6. W
  7. D
  8. W
  9. E
  10. W
  11. F♯
  12. H
  13. G
  14. W
  15. A

Degrees: 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · ♭7. Steps: W – H – W – W – W – H – W (W = whole step, H = half step).

About the Dorian scale

A minor mode with a major 6th. A "groovy" minor sound, common in funk, jazz and rock (Santana).

Harmonized scale (chords in the key)

The chords that come from the scale, stacking thirds from each note.

Degree Triad Seventh chord
Im Am Am7
IIm Bm Bm7
III C C7M
IV D D7
Vm Em Em7
VI° F♯° F♯m7(b5)
VII G G7M

Scales with the same notes

More A scales

Dorian in other keys

Frequently asked questions

What are the notes of the A Dorian scale?

The notes of the A Dorian scale are A, B, C, D, E, F sharp, and G. The root, degree 1, is A.

What is the formula of the A Dorian scale?

In degrees: 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · ♭7. In steps between the notes: W – H – W – W – W – H – W (W = whole step, H = half step).

How do you play the A Dorian scale on cavaquinho?

Each position fits within 5 frets, with 2 to 3 notes per string, and starts on a scale note on the lowest string. Position 1 starts on the root (A). There are 7 positions on cavaquinho, each with the full fingering.

Which chords belong to the A Dorian scale?

The chords of the harmonized scale are: Am, Bm, C, D, Em, F♯°, G.

On other instruments

All scales on cavaquinho