Bb Byzantine
Another name for double harmonic major: lowered 2nd and 6th degrees create two augmented 2nds.
Octaves
Musical context
How the scale relates to the chord, mode, key and progression.
Theory
General info
- Name
- Bb Byzantine
- Family
- Exotic scales
- Note count
- 7
- Step formula
- H – W+H – H – W – H – W+H – H
- Numeric formula
- 0-1-3-1-2-1-3-1
Notes & degrees
1Bbroot
b2Cbminor 2nd
3Dmajor 3rd
4Ebperfect 4th
5Fperfect 5th
b6Gbminor 6th
7Amajor 7th
Construction
- Overview
- Another name for double harmonic major: lowered 2nd and 6th degrees create two augmented 2nds.
- Application in music
- Enharmonically identical to double harmonic major and used over a major tonic.
- Interval formula
- BbHCbWHDHEbWFHGbWHA
Chords by degree
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IBbpoint of resttonic
IIIDdefines modal qualitythird
VFsupports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
VIIAA
IBbBb
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IIIDD
IVEbEb
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IBbBb
IICbCb
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This scale on guitar 🎸
See how Bb Byzantine looks on guitar.
Circle of fifths
The major key on the same tonic and its neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths.
Connections
Practice
Keyboard Trainer
Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.