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ENEN
Standard
Scales
Chords
C
Double Harmonic
Frets: 0 - 24

Formula
Notes

m2-m3-m2-M2-m2-m3
C
D♭
E
F
G
A♭
B
E
B
G
E
F
C
A♭
F
1
D♭
E
B
2
G
F
C
G
3
A♭
B
D♭
A♭
4
E
C
G
5
F
D♭
A♭
6
B
E
B
7
C
G
F
C
8
D♭
A♭
E
B
D♭
9
F
C
G
10
D♭
A♭
11
E
B
G
E
12
F
C
A♭
F
13
D♭
E
B
14
G
F
C
G
15
A♭
B
D♭
A♭
16
E
C
G
17
F
D♭
A♭
18
B
E
B
19
C
G
F
C
20
D♭
A♭
E
B
D♭
21
F
C
G
22
D♭
A♭
23
E
B
G
E
24

Basic Scale Information

  • Name: Double Harmonic
  • Type: Exotic symmetrical scale
  • Formula: 1 – ♭2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – ♭6 – 7
  • Relation with Major Scale: N/A

Theoretical Aspects

  • Sound Character: Also called the Arabic or Byzantine scale, it has a strongly ornamental and Middle Eastern sound. The contrast between the minor second and major third, together with the major seventh, creates a very dramatic and tense effect.
  • Typical Chord: Maj7♭9 or chords with mixed tensions
  • Modal Context: Used to evoke oriental, ritualistic, or ancient environments. Often on drones or static harmonic structures.
  • Harmonic Use: In ethnic melodic contexts, static progressions, or for dramatic chromatics in classical and world genres.

Musical Context

  1. Musical Styles: World, Classical, Soundtracks, Neoclassical metal
  2. Songs using the scale:
    • Scheherazade - Rimsky-Korsakov
    • Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
    • Desert Rain - Ravi Shankar
    • Kingdom of Heaven - Epica
  3. Evoked Atmosphere: Majestic, ritualistic, solemn, and strongly evocative of oriental cultures.

Chords in Scale