STRINGSCALES

F♯ double harmonic major Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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

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

D string: D, E#, F#, G, A#, B, C#, D at frets 0, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12

G string: G, A#, B, C#, D, E#, F#, G at frets 0, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12

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

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

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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

F♯maj
G

bII

Gmaj
A♯

iii

A♯m
B

iv

Bm
C♯

V

C#maj♭5
D

bVI+

Daug
E♯

VII

G7no5/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.

B hungarian minorC# oriental

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

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

How to play F♯ double harmonic major on guitar

Open D, open G and open B all belong to the scale, which means half the strings can be left open under a fretted line. Lowest root is fret 2 on the low E. A#m is the iii chord, so a minor grip sits on the third degree. Roots also sit at fret 9 on the A, fret 4 on the D, fret 11 on the G and fret 7 on the B, and the first box breaks at fret 6.

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