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Carlos Santana Style Guitar Lesson – Dorian Mode Guitar Lesson – EP178

Description

In this guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play a classic Carlos Santana style lead in the Dorian Mode. I’ll explain what the Dorian Mode is and how you can find it in any key. Carlos Santana often uses this mode when he plays, so what better way to showcase this mode than to play a Santana inspired lead. I’ve included the MP3 jam track in 2 tempos (this includes a slower tempo jam track).

Part 1 - Free Guitar Lesson

Part 2 - For Premium Members

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Bonus Video (Dorian Mode)

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Slow Walk-through

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Video Tablature Breakdown

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Comments

  1. JohnStrat says

    November 11, 2016 at 8:10 pm

    This will go down well thanks Brian

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  2. Jeem says

    November 11, 2016 at 8:14 pm

    Brian,
    You ARE the MAN! I’ve been waiting for this one for a while.
    And you did an excellent job on this! If I would have heard this on the radio I’d have thought, “Now there’s a Santana tune I’ve never heard before”.

    Thanks so much…Master Brian!

    Jim

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  3. John V says

    November 11, 2016 at 8:31 pm

    Great lesson for sure, Carlos has always adhered to a spicy “strong” signature style will never sound dated.
    Congrats on the Cubbies Win from your member in North East Ohio.

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  4. bwade913 says

    November 11, 2016 at 8:35 pm

    Excellent! I was just thinking earlier today that I would like to see Brian do a Santana lesson.

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  5. sunburst says

    November 11, 2016 at 8:40 pm

    WOW! I’m going to TRY this note for note but looks like a hard lesson! maybe by some miracle I can get this sooner than I think!! lol

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  6. Bobs Ultra-339 Electric Guitar Level 2 Vintage Sun says

    November 11, 2016 at 8:42 pm

    Do I see a “CUB ‘S” shirt?

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  7. Maradonagol says

    November 11, 2016 at 8:51 pm

    ohhhhhhhhhh…Brian…..couldn’t ask for a better lesson……..awesome!!!!!!

    Roberto

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  8. Michael Allen says

    November 11, 2016 at 9:03 pm

    Very good!

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  9. Aussie Rick says

    November 11, 2016 at 9:11 pm

    Another great lesson Brian. Have been a Santana fan since day one. Going to re-juggle the priorities and get stuck straight into this one. Cheers,
    Rick

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  10. Strykerward says

    November 11, 2016 at 11:27 pm

    Yay! Another fantastic lesson Brian.

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  11. Meaks says

    November 12, 2016 at 12:25 am

    Awesome lesson, opened up a whole new world

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  12. jimberna says

    November 12, 2016 at 2:00 am

    Just SO good Brian, once again. The subscription is worth it for this lesson alone. Thank you .

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  13. MJR1164 says

    November 12, 2016 at 2:57 am

    Oh yeah! This is brilliant…and on my birthday too! Thanks Brian!

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  14. [email protected] says

    November 12, 2016 at 3:25 am

    Fantastic lesson, thanks man. I’m suprised how Dorian mode colors my lead, great!
    P.S. (about the Dorian mode) If you go from 5 to 7 you increase your range by (7 – 5)/5 = 2/5 = 40% 😉 we divide by 5 because we’re increasing relatively to what we had at the beggining, which is 5.

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  15. Lefteris B says

    November 12, 2016 at 4:09 am

    It’s strange enough that last night I spent some time making exercises using (and learning in some way) the dorian mode. So this morning I got a pleasant surprise with your lesson, Brian. And the whole thing gets so much easier when combining the pentatonic! Thanks a lot, Brian, you’re an unbelievable teacher

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  16. charjo says

    November 12, 2016 at 6:05 am

    Brian, love that you’re tackling the modes!
    John

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  17. Ken H says

    November 12, 2016 at 6:41 am

    Brian thank you for the bonus lesson which gets deeper into the modes.

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  18. smilefred says

    November 12, 2016 at 9:13 am

    Great lesson..thanks a lot

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  19. DerekBlue says

    November 12, 2016 at 10:01 am

    Once again you have taken something that sounds complicated and broken it down in little bites in a way that makes it so fun to learn. Thanks for the explanation of the modes. My eyes would gloss over when people talked about them, but your explanation brought immediate clarity.

    Now, you can save me some time if you tell what the chord in on the turn around in the backing track. Anyone?

    Brad

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    • Brian says

      November 12, 2016 at 4:43 pm

      It’s an F chord

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  20. San Luis Rey says

    November 12, 2016 at 2:29 pm

    Thanks Brian. This is just what the doctor ordered!
    Mike

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  21. Michael W says

    November 12, 2016 at 3:42 pm

    Brian, you are my Guitar Hero—-great stuff.!!!!?

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  22. Peter C says

    November 12, 2016 at 8:21 pm

    Brian – This lesson is really interesting. I had been getting pretty comfortable moving between major and minor licks while playing major 1, 4, 5 blues. This Dorian scale seems to provide similar versatility within just the minor scale. Is this a device to introduce a wider range of emotion in the minor scale because the major scale cannot be played over minor chords?

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    • Brian says

      November 12, 2016 at 9:55 pm

      Peter, yes that’s a good way to look at it.

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  23. Fender nut says

    November 12, 2016 at 11:16 pm

    This is a great lesson thanks

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  24. Phil J says

    November 13, 2016 at 2:21 am

    Brilliant lesson . More like this please . Look forward to next week .

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  25. ARADTech says

    November 13, 2016 at 3:12 am

    Thanks Brian , great lesson as always ! 🙂

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  26. Allan says

    November 13, 2016 at 6:57 am

    Hi Brian great and interesting lesson so many things to learn on guitar and you make it look easy with your teaching style keep it up mate cheers.

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  27. sunburst says

    November 13, 2016 at 8:59 am

    I haven’t done a tremolo lick in awhile! Great to understand more about these 16th triplets..I’m trying a small jazz heavy pick 1.26mm clayton to exact!

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  28. James F says

    November 13, 2016 at 9:16 am

    I’m in agreement with the comments here, one of your best lessons. Great Santana example but better yet, you created an easy lesson in theory that didn’t make my head explode. I totally got it and now I want to know more. THANKS!

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  29. tommc says

    November 13, 2016 at 10:33 am

    That was the most helpful explanation of modes I have ever encountered. One thing I didn’t get. When you added two notes to get Dorian from minor pentatonic, why was it those two specific notes? Further, would each mode add two notes to minor pentatonic? How do you determine which notes to add? Perhaps I missed a concept. Thanks for creating these thoughtful lessons.

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    • Brian says

      November 13, 2016 at 3:31 pm

      Just watch the bonus video for this lesson and you’ll see where those 2 extra notes come from – It’s from the major scale, you’re just starting on a different note as you play it, instead of starting on the 1, you’re starting on the 2 (2nd step in the major scale) and ending on the 2 for Dorian,

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  30. Rajiv D says

    November 13, 2016 at 7:19 pm

    Never tried Dorian scale before – stunning lesson. Thanks Brian !!

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  31. Jon J says

    November 14, 2016 at 3:08 am

    Hi Brian, Great lesson thanks so much.
    Any chance you could do a latin rhythm lesson to compliment this one.

    Cheers
    Jon

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    • Brian says

      November 14, 2016 at 10:24 am

      I did do a Bossa Nova a while back – EP137. Check that one out if you haven’t already.

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  32. Alexander P says

    November 14, 2016 at 4:25 am

    I think at the beginning of the first video, you say that the tune is in Cm. Would it not be more correct to say that it’s in Bb? C is the second degree of the Bb scale, and Cm is the corresponding diatonic chord, with C Dorian the corresponding mode. Likewise, the F major chord is the diatonic fifth of Bb. If my understanding if correct, that means you could play F mixolydian over the F. Is that right?

    Thanks
    Alex

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    • Brian says

      November 14, 2016 at 10:23 am

      Alex, in the literal sense you are correct. This would be the key of Bb, but it wouldn’t be described that way in layman’s terms. If you were at a jam with other musicians, you’d say that you were playing in C minor. Another example would be if the song followed a typical 12 bar blues format, but all of the chords were minor chords, you wouldn’t say, we’re playing a 2, 3, 6 in the key of whatever. You’d say, we’re playing a 1, 4, 5 minor chord progression. 2, 3, 6 in they key of whatever would be literal, but it’d be too confusing for most to know what the key is.

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      • Alexander P says

        November 14, 2016 at 2:43 pm

        Thanks, Brian. Makes sense.

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  33. John H says

    November 14, 2016 at 11:44 am

    The brief video on mode is musical gold. Definitely an aha moment!

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  34. sunjamr says

    November 14, 2016 at 7:09 pm

    Hooray! I’ve been wanting to get into Santana’s style for a while now, and here it is. What an awesome lesson!

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  35. orient2k says

    November 15, 2016 at 4:31 am

    Brian
    Dorian scale is completely new to me. Santana has always been one of my favourites guitarist. Many thanks for the awesome lesson.

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  36. [email protected] says

    November 15, 2016 at 2:22 pm

    Best lesson in a while. Love it, thanks. More, more, Latin rock and jazz stuff. Also especially like you adding to the goodies bag for the premium members. I always get MY money’s worth, and you just sweetened the deal. Keep on keeping on.

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  37. john p says

    November 15, 2016 at 7:33 pm

    Brian, so is the minor pentatonic with the two added notes transposable? meaning that I would be able to cover the fretboard in dorian mode! and move diagonally? This could be a super lightbulb lesson!. My Christmas wish list would be that you cover a few more mode in future. John

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    • Brian says

      November 16, 2016 at 10:54 am

      Yes you can ofcourse transpose this to any key, if that’s what you’re asking?

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  38. kestrou says

    November 15, 2016 at 10:20 pm

    I’m mostly a lurker here, but have to chime in because this lesson was OUTSTANDING.

    Interesting musically, taught me something important (Dorian), yet not too tough to get under my fingers.

    Encore! Encore! 🙂

    Kevin

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  39. Bill F says

    November 16, 2016 at 7:20 am

    Brian, really outstanding lesson on the dorian mode. cleared up a lot of confusion I have had over the years. Would love to see even more on the modes in the styles of artists who tend to favor particular modes (as you jsut did with Santana/dorian)

    Many thanks!

    Bill

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  40. Nick P says

    November 16, 2016 at 7:59 am

    One of the best lessons ever! I played for over an hour this morning, riffing on this great Santana stuff (when I should have been doing other things!) … explanation of dorian mode excellent, but here’s a question… Would Santana have known he was playing in dorian mode and would have done it deliberately? Or is this a case of applying musical analysis to what just flows from his fingertips? Any thoughts?

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  41. pips says

    November 16, 2016 at 2:16 pm

    Thanks Brian, you’ve just opened another door……..

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  42. Patricia Y says

    November 18, 2016 at 9:19 am

    Amazing lesson thanks a lot. I’m really glad i signed up for this. What lesson will be next? I can’t wait to find out.

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  43. jlg says

    November 18, 2016 at 8:32 pm

    Awesome lesson

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  44. riteus1 says

    November 24, 2016 at 12:47 pm

    Thank you!Thank you! Thank you! This was the lesson I have been waiting for! You are the man. Great lesson and you make it so understandable that you can apply it and incorporate into your style. God’s Blessing upon you always.

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  45. John s says

    November 29, 2016 at 10:36 am

    Wow! What I like about you Brian is: 1. One of the best teachers available. 2. A truly (no lie…) gifted musician. 3. You don’t sound/talk like you just smoked a pound of dope. As good as an instructor for wannabe guitar players gets; blues, country, rock, etc. you can do it all! Thanks a lot! Amazing!

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  46. Alfred Dowaliby says

    December 17, 2016 at 3:34 pm

    Not too much I can say that has not already been said, but I certainly echo the enthusiastic and appreciative comments of the other members. I have always really appreciated Santana. He is one of a handful of guitar players who is instantly recognizable. He virtually invented a style of playing lead guitar that combined a host of other existing elements, including blues, rock, classical, jazz and Latin – the result being a super melodic, rhythmic, passionate and fiery brand of guitar playing. So happy that I am incorporating this style and knowledge into my playing. It’s tough, but devotion, persistence and consistency is the key. It always amazes me how versatile Brian is as both a player and teacher. Slowly, patiently, clearly, and methodically, he escorts us to heights we may have never dreamed within our grasp. He clearly believes in giving us our money’s worth and more! Thank you!

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    • kathy b. l says

      March 11, 2017 at 3:53 pm

      Al, do u remember our first jam session 30 years ago? I played Oye como va and Moonflower for you. Still… Kathy B. from Florida.,

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  47. JorgeBonnie says

    January 8, 2017 at 12:48 am

    Love it. Amen Hallelujah!

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  48. johnnybgood says

    January 11, 2017 at 10:22 pm

    Brian , a newbe i am , having just signed up for the year , the santana lesson is solid , learned it in a few days not perfect , better each practice hope you might do another santana lesson in the future , also lessons which include other modes i am sure others would find interesting as well as expanding their vocabulary , the hexatonic scale is another cool scale , with lots of other colours easy to play as well thanks again for the great lesson kudos to your teaching ability !!

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  49. Paul de Jong says

    March 20, 2017 at 9:53 am

    Great lesson Brian!! Great!!! I love the Dorian mode!!!

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  50. Daniel T says

    May 15, 2017 at 5:32 pm

    Thank you so much Brian !

    I have been stuck in a rut for 30 years. I had resigned myself to just playing Rhythm, and had lost interest in the guitar.
    I watched one of your lessons and became a member the other day. I have watched several now….Over and Over. Then I play what you have
    put out Over and Over. It’s like walking again.
    Santana is one of my favorites, as well as BB King.
    This Santana lesson looks like the first step in climbing out of my rut.!

    Dan T

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  51. Rich F says

    November 15, 2017 at 1:58 am

    Hi Brian,

    This is a brilliant lesson! I love Santana, and have just discovered this lesson due to this month’s challenge frm Bryce. It’s going to be a challenge but I’m going to give it a go! I have recently been trying to learn one of my Santana favourites: Oye Como Va.

    (writing this while listening to the backing track: very cool sound, and rhythm. Brian, could we have a lesson on Santana rhythms? I believe it’s kind of Salsa, Bossa Nova…?

    I love the Santana sound: to me, it is so warm, and makes me think of sitting on the beach in the warm Sunshine and warm Summer breeze ! (Some nice escapism as I am sitting here in the cold UK winter!)

    Thanks for the great lesson Brian!

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  52. Tom D says

    December 26, 2017 at 1:10 am

    Hi Brian,

    I have strayed from EP235 this week, because I love the music put out by Carlos Santana and would love to use some of his runs in my own improvisation. I have discovered on YouTube that you do cover tune lessons, but I could not find any by Santana. Is it possible for you to do one for Black Magic Woman? I love your reaching style and I have enrolled in your course to improve and modernise my own playing style. I am 69 years of age and have been playing the guitar off and on since I was 10. I learnt classical guitar about 40 years ago and completed stage 4 in 2 years, but that was about 40 years ago and I have not played any classical numbers since then. I have played in mainly rock and country bands sine 1965 and am now playing at nursing homes and retirement villages – mainly 50’s and 60’s numbers.Keep up the good teaching and merry Christmas.

    Tom Duckworth

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  53. ibrahim t says

    January 12, 2018 at 4:29 pm

    Thank you so Muck Brian . İ love you so Muck.
    You are incredible.

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  54. Guillermo V says

    January 26, 2018 at 10:03 am

    Soul sacrifice or evil ways solos deserve to be studied!!!

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  55. rainmon1 says

    February 21, 2018 at 2:52 pm

    Brian, I just saw this lesson recently and have got it down pretty well except for one thing: that 16th note section. Can you offer any tips on picking up my speed with that? I’ve been practicing by increasing the tempo on a metronome, which helped some but I seem to have hit a plateau — and not the right plateau! Any tips would be appreciated!
    Thanks.

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  56. morris c says

    July 25, 2018 at 12:00 am

    Brian, I’m 71, and really enjoy your knowledge and your ability to teach. I’ve never had any music theory, so I appreciate the time that you take to explain some of the theory. I’ve been a member for about 1.5 years, and feel that I have learned a lot. I play at church every Sunday. I don’t have the opertunity to throw many licks in there, but a couple of us brothers get together at our homes and practice with each other. Thanks so much for your help. Maybe sometime you could explain a little more about theory? You are a blessing in my life !

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  57. Bob O. says

    January 28, 2019 at 2:04 pm

    Super Lesson!
    You cannot reveal all of Mr Santana’s Secrets but how about dissecting his Stacatto?
    That’s a tough one to emulate!
    Thanks
    Bob. Athens. GA

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  58. Lawrence P says

    February 18, 2020 at 4:42 pm

    If I heard correctly, this etude is in C minor, or at least the starting chord, but you say this is a Dorian mode exercise. If the key is C minor that makes the major E flat. Is not C Dorian the same as B flat major? I’ve looked at the fingering for C Dorian and it is the same as you demonstrate but I am confused as to why this is C Dorian and not C minor. The second of B flat is C minor and, with the F chord that you play, it would seem that the progression is a minor progression.
    Can you please clarify.
    Thanks

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    • Lawrence P says

      February 18, 2020 at 7:28 pm

      Answered my own question. The song is a two-chord vamp on the major 1 and the minor 2, with the lead part in the C Dorian mode. The F chord can be major because it is the 5th of B flat major, the 1 chord, I haven’t developed the chord progression yet but if the G chord is played then it would be a minor.

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      • frank says

        February 20, 2020 at 3:13 pm

        It’s understandable that you might initially hear C Minor, since C Dorian is a minor mode (i.e. minor 3rd and minor 7th). The only difference between Dorian and Aeolian (the natural minor) is the 6th degree, which is major 6th in Dorian. Now if only I could play like that!

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  59. Ron G says

    June 22, 2020 at 3:17 pm

    How did u get that tone, Is it a little gain,overdrive, fuzz and a little reverb?

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