Great tune with fun guitar parts!

Originally Posted by: ctredwin

Does the above statement just mean that the G minor scale has the same notes as the C dorian scale (but with a different starting note?)

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Yes. Good observation!

Smoke On The Water is in the key of G minor (relative major is B-flat major). The 2nd mode of B-flat is C dorian. So, all those notes are part of the same home key.

G aeolian (relative minor scale)[br]G-A-Bb-C-D-Eb-F

B-flat major (ionian)[br]Bb-C-D-Eb-F-G-A

C dorian[br]C-D-Eb-F-G-A-Bb

[quote=ctredwin]

If yes, why can't we just say that the whole thing is in G minor?

You certain can. But notice that the bass motion at that point (the bass guitar & organ) are playing a C minor chord. So it just makes it a little more precise to observe that the bass motion moves to a C (iv chord) and Blackmore clearly moves to a C pattern & position on the guitar. So, it creates a dorian sound at that point.

You can say the whole thing is in G minor & that is also correct. It's just a small additional detail to observe that when the bass plays a C, Blackmore's lick is in C dorian.

Hope that helps! Have fun with it!