STRINGSCALES

B♭ double harmonic major Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: F, Gb, A, Bb, Cb, D, Eb at frets 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11

A string: A, Bb, Cb, D, Eb, F, Gb, A at frets 0, 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12

D string: D, Eb, F, Gb, A, Bb, Cb, D at frets 0, 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 12

G string: A, Bb, Cb, D, Eb, F, Gb at frets 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11

B string: Cb, D, Eb, F, Gb, A, Bb, Cb at frets 0, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12

High E string: F, Gb, A, Bb, Cb, D, Eb at frets 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11

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Bb 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:

B♭

I

B♭maj
C♭

bII

C♭maj
D

iii

Dm
E♭

iv

E♭m
F

V

Fmaj♭5
G♭

bVI+

G♭aug
A

VII

C♭7no5/A

Same notes, different mode

Bb 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.

Eb hungarian minorF oriental

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

tip
  • The two augmented 2nds (bII (B) to III and bVI (Gb) to VII) define Bb double harmonic; practice crossing those gaps smoothly instead of skipping them.
  • Riff on the bII (B) to root resolution over a drone on Bb: 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 (B) and VII as chords over a Bb pedal for instant Balkan and Middle Eastern cadences.

How to play B♭ double harmonic major on guitar

Open A gives the major seventh, open D the major third, so two strings can ring against a fretted line even though neither is a settled drone. A-shape barre falls on fret 1, which means a full grip is available almost at the nut. Lowest root is fret 6 on the low E. Chord VII is Cb7no5, so the seventh degree comes without a fifth. First box gives out at fret 10.

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