STRINGSCALES

E♭ double harmonic major Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: Fb, G, Ab, Bb, Cb, D, Eb, Fb at frets 0, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12

A string: Bb, Cb, D, Eb, Fb, G, Ab at frets 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11

D string: D, Eb, Fb, G, Ab, Bb, Cb, D at frets 0, 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12

G string: G, Ab, Bb, Cb, D, Eb, Fb, G at frets 0, 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 12

B string: Cb, D, Eb, Fb, G, Ab, Bb, Cb at frets 0, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12

High E string: Fb, G, Ab, Bb, Cb, D, Eb, Fb at frets 0, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12

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Eb 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

E♭maj
F♭

bII

F♭maj
G

iii

Gm
A♭

iv

A♭m
B♭

V

B♭majb5
C♭

bVI+

C♭aug
D

VII

F♭7no5/D

Same notes, different mode

Eb 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.

Ab hungarian minorBb oriental

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

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

How to play E♭ double harmonic major on guitar

Five open strings land in the scale here, both E strings spelled Fb and the B string spelled Cb, so open notes are available even if none of them anchors a drone. Nearest the nut, a root waits at fret 1 on the D string, which means a low phrase can start without leaving first position. Lowest root is fret 11 on the low E. Chord iii is Gm, the A-shape barre lands at fret 6, and the first box is spent at fret 15.

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