STRINGSCALES

G double harmonic major Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: F#, G, Ab, B, C, D, Eb at frets 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11

A string: B, C, D, Eb, F#, G, Ab at frets 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11

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

G string: G, Ab, B, C, D, Eb, F#, G at frets 0, 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12

B string: B, C, D, Eb, F#, G, Ab, B at frets 0, 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 12

High E string: F#, G, Ab, B, C, D, Eb at frets 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11

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G 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:

G

I

Gmaj
A♭

bII

A♭maj
B

iii

Bm
C

iv

Cm
D

V

Dmaj♭5
E♭

bVI+

E♭aug
F♯

VII

A♭7no5/F#

Same notes, different mode

G 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.

C hungarian minorD oriental

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

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

How to play G double harmonic major on guitar

Open G is a root, open D the fifth above it and open B the major third, so the three of them ring together as a home base. Chord iv is Cm, which means the fourth degree arrives minor rather than major. Fretted roots are fret 3 on both E strings, fret 10 on the A, fret 5 on the D and fret 8 on the B. First box shuts down at fret 7.

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