What Does This Mean?

We've established earlier that you can play a dorian mode on a minor chord, to give you a specific sound. Now, since we know that the dorian mode is simply a major scale starting on the second note, we know that we can use both scale patterns to give us a dorian sound. For example, let's say we wanted to solo over an Aminor chord using an A dorian mode. We know also know that A dorian = G major, so we know that we can use the G major scale to solo over that A minor chord. Similarly, we can use an A dorian scale to solo over a G major chord.

REMEMBER: the notes "G" and "A" are used only for example. The above applies to all major scales - the dorian mode starts on the second degree of any major scale. So, the D dorian mode comes from the C major scale, the G dorian mode comes from the F major scale, etc.

Well, of course it will first be necessary to completely memorize the dorian mode pattern. Practice the mode slowly and accurately, both across the neck, and up a single string. Be sure to play the mode forwards and backwards.
It's important to start blurring the lines between the major scale shape and the dorian shape on your fretboard. Since the major scale and dorian mode starting on the second degree of the major scale have all the same notes, you should try and start viewing them as one scale. To start getting comfortable moving back and forth between the major scale and dorian positions, practice the following:

Once you've got the scale under your fingers, you can start trying to improvise using the dorian/major scale patterns. Download this one and a half minute mp3 clip of me strumming an A minor chord, and practice playing your G major/A dorian scale positions over it. Then, try making up licks similar to the ones presented here by Santana and others. Spend a lot of time with this - be creative. Try mixing A minor pentatonic, A blues scale, A dorian, and any other minor scales you know into your solos - don't feel like you have to only play one scale throughout!
By the way, don't worry if your solos don't sound great at first. Getting comfortable with a new scale takes time, and certainly won't yield wonderful results at first. That is why we practice - so by the time you're playing it in front of others, you sound top notch!

If this whole modes concept is fuzzy to you, don't worry too much about it. Just practice, practice, practice, and chances are, you'll stumble upon the logic of modes yourself. Try not to get frustrated if things aren't "clicking" - they will with time.
In coming weeks, we'll tackle the other modes of the major scale: ionian, phrygian, lydian, mixolydian, aeolian, and locrian. That's it for now, so relax, and have fun with the dorian mode, and all it's possibilities!