This Dorian scale

[Groove Master]

Let's continue with that Dorian.
What if I play (while "improvising") the C major scale starting on D and ending on D one octave higher - pure Dorian- with the C major chord.
I think everyone will agree - it's the Dorian mode.
Now, what if with the Dmin7 chord I play (while "improvising") the C major scale from C to C one octave higher.
What mode do I play?

Next.
Let's take a few two-chord vamp snippets and try to figure out our diatonic(!) notes to be played while improvising.

Dmin7/ Bb

Dmin7/ Gmin7

Dmin7/ Emin7

Dmin7/ C

Dmin7/ Eb7

Dmin7/ F#7...

How are you going to determine those diatonic notes to fit your two-chord vamps?

Find all the common tones between the two chords and the hidden extensions. Reduce scales into blues scales and pentatonic when possible.

For example in #5 I'll make the Eb7 a lydian dominant with a #11 (A)
In #6 I'll make that Dmin7 a FMaj7 and play chromatic with the F#7 etc...

 

[MalcolmAmos]

How are you going to determine those diatonic notes to fit your two-chord vamps?

Here is what the old guys told me.

A two chord vamp made of the tonic I chord and then a chord that has the signature note of the mode you (or they) will be using.

Dorian's signature note is the natural 6. So the second chord in the vamp should have a natural 6 in it's make up.

You find the signature note by looking at what is different in the natural minor scale and the Dorian mode. That note is the natural 6. So you want that natural 6 to help the Dorian mode ring through….

Major mode same thing. What is different in the major scale and the major mode? Lydian would be the #4, Mixolydian would be the b7, etc.

Have fun.

 

[Russell L]

Makes sense. Like going from Dm to G. The B natural defines the harmony as Dorian. If you went from Dm to C, you wouldn't know it was Dorian yet. Could be Aeolian