Db 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
Db 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

1Dbroot
b2Dminor 2nd
3Fmajor 3rd
4Gbperfect 4th
5Abperfect 5th
b6Aminor 6th
7Cmajor 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
Db
H
D
WH
F
H
Gb
W
Ab
H
A
WH
C

Chords by degree

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IDbpoint of resttonic
IIIFdefines modal qualitythird
VAbsupports the tonic sonorityfifth

Typical resolutions & tensions

VIICC
IDbDb
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IIIFF
IVGbGb
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IDbDb
IIDD
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how Db Byzantine looks on guitar.

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Circle of fifths

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

CAmGEmDBmAF#mEC#mBG#mF#D#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmDbmajor
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
5 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

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

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Frequently Asked Questions