STRINGSCALES

E double harmonic major Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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

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

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

G string: G#, A, B, C, D#, E, F at frets 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10

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

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

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E 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:

E

I

Emaj
F

bII

Fmaj
G♯

iii

G♯m
A

iv

Am
B

V

Bmaj♭5
C

bVI+

Caug
D♯

VII

F7no5/D♯

Same notes, different mode

E 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.

A hungarian minorB oriental

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

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

How to play E double harmonic major on guitar

Both E strings are open roots and open B gives the fifth, so an open pedal is on tap at either end of the neck. Chord V is BMb5, which means the fifth degree turns up as a major triad with its fifth flattened. Other roots are fret 7 on the A, fret 2 on the D, fret 9 on the G and fret 5 on the B. First box hands off at fret 4.

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