STRINGSCALES

F double harmonic major Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F, Gb, A, Bb, C, Db, E at frets 0, 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12

A string: A, Bb, C, Db, E, F, Gb, A at frets 0, 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 12

D string: E, F, Gb, A, Bb, C, Db at frets 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11

G string: A, Bb, C, Db, E, F, Gb at frets 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11

B string: C, Db, E, F, Gb, A, Bb at frets 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11

High E string: E, F, Gb, A, Bb, C, Db, E at frets 0, 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12

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F 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:

F

I

Fmaj
G♭

bII

G♭maj
A

iii

Am
B♭

iv

B♭m
C

V

Cmaj♭5
D♭

bVI+

D♭aug
E

VII

G♭7no5/E

Same notes, different mode

F 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.

Bb hungarian minorC oriental

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

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

How to play F double harmonic major on guitar

Lowest root is fret 1 on the low E. E-shape barre lands at fret 1 as a result, which lets a barre grip and the open strings share one position. Roots also fall at fret 8 on the A, fret 3 on the D, fret 10 on the G and fret 6 on the B, so all six strings carry a root inside the first ten frets. Open A is the major third and both E strings are in the scale, so open colour is available even without a drone. Chord bII is GbM, and the first box halts at fret 5.

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