D 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
D 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

1Droot
b2Ebminor 2nd
3F#major 3rd
4Gperfect 4th
5Aperfect 5th
b6Bbminor 6th
7C#major 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
D
H
Eb
WH
F#
H
G
W
A
H
Bb
WH
C#

Chords by degree

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IDpoint of resttonic
IIIF#defines modal qualitythird
VAsupports the tonic sonorityfifth

Typical resolutions & tensions

VIIC#C#
IDD
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IIIF#F#
IVGG
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IDD
IIEbEb
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how D Byzantine looks on guitar.

Explore

Circle of fifths

The major key on the same tonic and its neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths.

CAmGEmDBmAF#mEC#mBG#mF#D#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmDmajor
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
2 sharps (F#, C#)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.

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Frequently Asked Questions