F# 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
F# 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

1F#root
b2Gminor 2nd
3A#major 3rd
4Bperfect 4th
5C#perfect 5th
b6Dminor 6th
7E#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
F#
H
G
WH
A#
H
B
W
C#
H
D
WH
E#

Chords by degree

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IF#point of resttonic
IIIA#defines modal qualitythird
VC#supports the tonic sonorityfifth

Typical resolutions & tensions

VIIE#E#
IF#F#
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IIIA#A#
IVBB
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IF#F#
IIGG
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how F# 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#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmF#major
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
6 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

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

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Frequently Asked Questions