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Four Easy Minor Jazz Guitar Licks

Struggling to sound confident over the iim chord? You’re not alone—but it doesn’t have to be complicated.

In this lesson, you’ll learn four easy two-bar jazz guitar licks designed to fit perfectly over minor ii chords.

Each lick is simple, musical, and ready to drop into your solos right away.

Let’s make the iim chord a place where your playing feels natural and expressive.

Each lick is written as a two-bar phrase in A minor (Dorian), with every note labeled by its interval relative to A to help you clearly see and hear the sound of each tone.

What's The Dorian Mode

The Dorian mode is a type of minor scale commonly used in jazz, funk, and modal music.

It sounds similar to a natural minor scale, but with a slightly brighter, smoother color.

For example, A Dorian contains the notes:
A – B – C – D – E – F# – G

What makes it special is the raised 6th (F# instead of F). That one note gives Dorian its signature sound—minor, but not as dark as the regular minor scale (Aeolian).

You can think of it like this:

It’s the 2nd mode of a major scale

A Dorian comes from the G major scale (same notes, just starting on A)

In jazz, Dorian is often used over minor ii (iim7) chords, because it naturally fits the harmony and creates smooth, melodic lines.

A Dorian A B C D E F# G
Intervals 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7

 

Here below, a basic shape to play the Dorian mode on guitar.

Dorian mode guitar shapes

Lick 1

This lick outlines a minor 9 arpeggio (1–♭3–5–♭7–9), highlighting the full color of the chord and creating a smooth, modern jazz sound.

Minor jazz guitar lick

Lick 2

This lick uses a chromatic approach note to target the tonic, while incorporating the 9th and 11th to add color and a smooth, expressive jazz sound.

Dorian jazz guitar pattern

Lick 3

This lick features a passing tone between the 13th and 5th, creating a smooth, flowing line.

Minor jazz guitar pattern

Lick 4

This lick uses a repeated melodic pattern played twice, with a passing tone between the 4th and 5th.

Dorian jazz guitar lick

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Last edited: 2026-05-14

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