Carlos Santana - Evil Ways (Listen to mp3)

Carlos has long been one of the guitarists who experiments with the sounds of the dorian mode, amongst other scales. The dorian mode has more notes than simple pentatonic scales, which gives Santana more notes to explore. The provided mp3 and guitar tablature exerpt finds Santana soloing over a Gmin to C progression using the G dorian mode. As is customary, however, Santana also uses bits of the blues scale, and others, all within the same solo.

Tony Iommi - Planet Caravan (Listen to mp3)

Tony Iommi, guitarist for Black Sabbath, is another guitarist noted for using the dorian mode in his guitar solos. Iommi plays notes from the E dorian mode over the static E minor chord in the song. The dorian sound really helps to create a distinct mood in this situation. Iommi doesn't just stick to dorian, however - the guitarist also uses notes from the E blues scale, amongst others, to change the sound of his solo.

Soundgarden - Loud Love (Listen to mp3)

This is a great example of the dorian mode used as the basis for a song riff. "Loud Love" is based on the E dorian mode, played up and down the sixth and fifth strings. The fourth fret on the fifth string is the note which really tips us off to the sound of the mode. Try playing the E dorian mode up the sixth string, then up and down the fifth string (starting on the 7th fret "E"). You can try creating your own riffs based on this scale.

Cannonball Adderly - Milestones (Listen to mp3)

The great alto saxophonist Cannonball Adderly was a part of Miles Davis' band when Davis wrote many songs based on modes. The above lick (transcribed for guitar) features Adderly playing ideas based on the G dorian mode, over a Gminor chord.

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