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Scale · Reference entry

B♭ Double Harmonic Scale

Double Harmonic Scale · B♭ – C♭ – D – E♭ – F – G♭ – A – B♭ · intervals P1-m2-M3-P4-P5-m6-M7

The B♭ Double Harmonic Scale contains the notes B♭, C♭, D, E♭, F, G♭, and A. Its step pattern is H-A2-H-W-H-A2-H. A major scale with flatted 2nd AND 6th — two augmented seconds, the "Byzantine" or "Gypsy" sound.

At the keyboard

Cb · Bb · D · Eb · F · Gb · A
Flashcards · Scale
Three questions on B♭ Double Harmonic Scale
Answer on the keyboard, not with buttons. No login required.

The B♭ Double Harmonic scale contains seven notes: B♭, C♭, D, E♭, F, G♭, and A. It follows the whole-step / half-step pattern H-A2-H-W-H-A2-H.

B♭ Double Harmonic Scale Notes

DegreeNameNoteInterval
1TonicB♭P1
2SupertonicC♭m2
3MediantDM3
4SubdominantE♭P4
5DominantFP5
6SubmediantG♭m6
7Leading ToneAM7
8OctaveB♭

Key Signature

The B♭ Double Harmonic Scale doesn’t line up with a single major or minor key, so it has no standard key signature. Its notes are written with accidentals as needed.

Accidentals

B♭C♭E♭G♭

Diatonic Chords in the B♭ Double Harmonic Scale

These are the triads built on each degree of the B♭ Double Harmonic Scale:

C1C2C3C4C5DFC6C7C8A#
IB♭ Major (major)
DegreeNumeralChordQuality
1IB♭ MajorMajor
2IIC♭ MajorMajor
3iiiD MinorMinor
4ivE♭ MinorMinor
5VF alteredaltered
6VI+G♭ AugmentedAugmented
7VIIA alteredaltered

B♭ Double Harmonic Scale — Frequently Asked Questions

What are the notes of the B♭ Double Harmonic Scale on piano?
The B♭ Double Harmonic Scale uses the notes B♭ – C♭ – D – E♭ – F – G♭ – A – B♭. Play them in order from the root up to the octave, hands separately first, then together.
What notes are in the Bb Double Harmonic Scale?
The Bb Double Harmonic Scale contains seven notes: Bb – Cb – D – Eb – F – Gb – A. The notes table above shows each note with its scale degree and interval from the root.
How many sharps or flats does Bb Double Harmonic have?
The Bb Double Harmonic Scale doesn't correspond to a single major or minor key, so it has no standard key signature. Its notes are written with accidentals as needed: B♭, C♭, E♭, G♭.
What does the Bb Double Harmonic Scale sound like?
The Bb Double Harmonic Scale has an exotic, Eastern-European sound built on two augmented seconds. Listen to the audio playback above to hear the character on every note.

Related Tools

Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.

References & Further Reading

The note names, intervals, fingering, and harmony on this scale page are grounded in the following sources. Public domain treatises and scores are linked to their full text; primary data is piano.org's own interval-derived reference dataset — continuously maintained and human-verified, with no fixed publication date.

  1. 1

    Riemann, Hugo(1896)

    Harmony Simplified (English translation)

    Public domain treatise
  2. 2

    George Grove (ed.)(1900)

    A Dictionary of Music and Musicians

    Public domain treatise
  3. 3

    C. P. E. Bach(1753)

    Essay on the True Art of Playing Keyboard Instruments

    Public domain treatise
  4. 4

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Entry reviewed and maintained by Justin Evans. Corrections are read and applied.Report an error

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