Double Harmonic Scales on Piano

The double harmonic scale features two augmented seconds — between the 1st and 2nd degrees and between the 6th and 7th degrees — creating an intensely exotic, Middle Eastern sound. It is the parent scale of the Hungarian minor and appears throughout Arabic, Turkish, Indian (Bhairav raga), and Byzantine music traditions.

Formula: H–WH–H–W–H–WH–H (half–whole+half–half–whole–half–whole+half–half)

Intervals: P1–m2–M3–P4–P5–m6–M7–P8

Scale degrees: 1–♭2–3–4–5–♭6–7

Sound: Intensely exotic, Middle Eastern, Byzantine, dramatic

Also known as: Arabic scale, Byzantine scale, Gypsy major, Bhairav raga (Indian)

Two augmented seconds, double the drama: Most Western scales have at most one augmented second (like harmonic minor). The double harmonic has two — between ♭2 and 3, and between ♭6 and 7. These two wide leaps give the scale its powerful, unmistakable exotic character. The scale is symmetrical around the fourth degree, which means it sounds the same ascending and descending.