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

1D#root
b2Eminor 2nd
3Gmajor 3rd
4G#perfect 4th
5A#perfect 5th
b6Bminor 6th
7Dmajor 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
E
WH
G
H
G#
W
A#
H
B
WH
D

Chords by degree

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

ID#point of resttonic
IIIGdefines modal qualitythird
VA#supports the tonic sonorityfifth

Typical resolutions & tensions

VIIDD
ID#D#
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IIIGG
IVG#G#
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
ID#D#
IIEE
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#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmEbmajor
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
3 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

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

Open Trainer

Frequently Asked Questions