STRINGSCALES

A double harmonic major Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F, G#, A, Bb, C#, D, E at frets 0, 1, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12

A string: A, Bb, C#, D, E, F, G#, A at frets 0, 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12

D string: D, E, F, G#, A, Bb, C#, D at frets 0, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12

G string: G#, A, Bb, C#, D, E, F at frets 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10

B string: C#, D, E, F, G#, A, Bb at frets 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11

High E string: E, F, G#, A, Bb, C#, D, E at frets 0, 1, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12

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A double harmonic major

The double harmonic major scale, also called the byzantine or gypsy scale, surrounds a major 3rd and 5th with half steps: flat 2nd and major 7th, flat 6th in between. Its two augmented 2nds define the sound of Misirlou and much Middle Eastern and Balkan music. Almost every note leans onto a chord tone, so even slow lines sound ornamental.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

A

I

Amaj
B♭

bII

B♭maj
C♯

iii

C♯m
D

iv

Dm
E

V

Emaj♭5
F

bVI+

Faug
G♯

VII

B♭7no5/G#

Same notes, different mode

A double harmonic major uses the same notes as the scales below. Start from a different note and you get a new mode built on the very same note set.

D hungarian minorE oriental

double harmonic major in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • The two augmented 2nds (bII (Bb) to III and bVI (F) to VII) define A double harmonic; practice crossing those gaps smoothly instead of skipping them.
  • Riff on the bII (Bb) to root resolution over a drone on A: that is the Misirlou move, and it works on one string as a slide.
  • Every non-chord tone is a half step from a chord tone, so ornament constantly: trills and mordents belong to this scale.
  • Try harmonizing root, bII (Bb) and VII as chords over a A pedal for instant Balkan and Middle Eastern cadences.

How to play A double harmonic major on guitar

Open A is a root, with both E strings a fifth away and open D the fourth, so four strings ring in key with nothing fretted. Chord V is EMb5, which means the fifth degree shows up major with a flattened fifth. Fretted roots are fret 5 on both E strings, fret 7 on the D, fret 2 on the G and fret 10 on the B. First box closes at fret 9.

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