STRINGSCALES

C double harmonic major Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F, G, Ab, B, C, Db, E at frets 0, 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 12

A string: B, C, Db, E, F, G, Ab at frets 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11

D string: E, F, G, Ab, B, C, Db at frets 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11

G string: G, Ab, B, C, Db, E, F, G at frets 0, 1, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12

B string: B, C, Db, E, F, G, Ab, B at frets 0, 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12

High E string: E, F, G, Ab, B, C, Db, E at frets 0, 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 12

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C 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:

C

I

Cmaj
D♭

bII

D♭maj
E

iii

Em
F

iv

Fm
G

V

Gmaj♭5
A♭

bVI+

A♭aug
B

VII

D♭7no5/B

Same notes, different mode

C 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.

F hungarian minorG oriental

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

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

How to play C double harmonic major on guitar

Four open strings sit in the scale, open G at the fifth and open B at the major seventh, so a two-string drone is available without moving the fretting hand. Chord bII spells DbM, which means a plain major grip one fret above the tonic is already in the key. Roots are fret 8 on both E strings, fret 3 on the A and fret 5 on the G. First box stops at fret 12.

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