C Double harmonic
Major with lowered 2nd and 6th degrees; two augmented 2nds create a contrasting, tense scale.
Octaves
Musical context
How the scale relates to the chord, mode, key and progression.
Theory
General info
- Name
- C Double harmonic
- 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
1Croot
b2Dbminor 2nd
3Emajor 3rd
4Fperfect 4th
5Gperfect 5th
b6Abminor 6th
7Bmajor 7th
Construction
- Overview
- Major with lowered 2nd and 6th degrees; two augmented 2nds create a contrasting, tense scale.
- Application in music
- Pairs with a major tonic; bII – I and bVI – V moves emphasise its two augmented 2nds.
- Interval formula
- CHDbWHEHFWGHAbWHB
Chords by degree
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
ICpoint of resttonic
IIIEdefines modal qualitythird
VGsupports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
VIIBB
ICC
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IIIEE
IVFF
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
ICC
IIDbDb
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This scale on guitar 🎸
See how C Double harmonic 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.