Scales › double harmonic major (Byzantine)

double harmonic major (Byzantine) scale

Byzantine, two augmented seconds

double harmonic major (Byzantine) on the guitar: the fretboard diagram

Here is the double harmonic major (Byzantine) scale laid out across the whole neck, from fret 0 to fret 15. The guide tones (3rd and 7th) are highlighted — they're what makes the scale's color sing. Use the key selector above to shift the shape along the neck and find the positions in your key.

What color?

The Byzantine scale: b9, 3, b13 and 7, with two symmetric augmented seconds that give it its instantly recognizable Middle Eastern flavor. You use it boldly for an exotic, theatrical Eastern color.

Origin & history

Also called the Byzantine scale or "major Gypsy" scale, it is recognizable by its two augmented seconds. It can be heard in the music of the Near East and the Balkans; it corresponds to the Hijaz Kar maqam of Arabic and Turkish music.

Which chords to play it on?

Outside the functional consensus: this is an exploration color. Lay it over a vamp or a held chord to tint your improvisation with an unexpected flavor, rather than inside a cadence.

Sibling modes

The double harmonic major (Byzantine) scale is one of the modes of the double harmonic scale : it shares exactly the same notes as the modes below, but built on a different degree of the parent scale (double harmonic major (Byzantine)).

Try it in a real chart

Paste a chord chart into the tool: Pentania tells you, chord by chord, when this scale fits — and what other colors are open to you. Open the tool →