Seven String Jazz Guitar Part Two - Dorian

Continuing on from last weeks introduction to the seven string guitar which started with the C major scale, C Major 7 chord and arpeggio this week I would like to look at the ii chord of C major which is D minor 7 and it’s corresponding scale D Dorian (D minor sharp 6)

First lets look at the notes in plain English. 

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

As you can see this scale is made up of the same notes as the previous scale (C Major) however this time we start on D and account for the first seven letters of the alphabet until we get back to the tonic D. 

In music and on the fingerboard it looks like this.  

D Dorian One octave

Once your fingers and ears are used to this sound it’s time to extend the range to a two octave scale.

Pay attention to the left hand fingering written underneath each note. 

Only when you can play the previous exercise fluently should you proceed to the three octave scale bellow. As you can see this scale covers all seven strings.  

Before moving on it is advised that you say every note as you play. This should be done as you ascend and descend the shape. This helps with memorisation of the scale and has the added benefit of making you play slower and as a result play cleaner. 

The following D minor 7 arpeggio covers three octaves. Once again the advantage of the extended range that the seventh string offers really starts to show. 

Notice how the first six notes lay out on the fingerboard. The fingering is similar to our old friend, the "classic" minor pentatonic scale shape.

Finally lets learn the D minor 7 Chord.

   

Once both the Major and Dorian scales, arpeggios and corresponding chords are memorised they should be practiced one after the other to gain complete control of each shape.

Next time I will cover the third chord of C major and its corresponding scale.