Find Dorian Mode: Minor, But Cooler

The short answer: Find Dorian Mode drills Dorian — natural minor with a raised 6th (formula 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7). That one lifted note takes the grief out of minor and makes it cool, funky, and jazzy. Key plus zone; find the mode, fast.

What the game is

You get a key and a zone and find Dorian's notes. It is natural minor with a single raised note, so the game sharpens your eye for that one natural 6 that changes minor's whole attitude.

What it teaches

• The natural 6 that distinguishes Dorian from natural minor.
• Dorian shapes across the neck.
• Why it is the go-to over minor 7th chords and modal vamps.

Why it's cool

Dorian is minor with sunglasses on — Santana's "Oye Como Va," Miles Davis's "So What," most minor-key funk. The natural 6 is the note that keeps a minor groove from ever sounding sad.

Where to start

Read the Dorian Mode course and Dorian explained. Know natural minor first.