If you play a major scale but start and end on the second degree of the scale, you’re playing the dorian mode. The dorian mode is associated with a minor 7 chord and is a great option for soloing over minor grooves in jazz, funk, or rock.
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Example: D E F G A B C D (the C Major scale from D to D)
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Miles Davis’ "So What" and John Coltrane's "Impressions" both use the dorian mode.