G 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
G 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

1Groot
b2Abminor 2nd
3Bmajor 3rd
4Cperfect 4th
5Dperfect 5th
b6Ebminor 6th
7F#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
G
H
Ab
WH
B
H
C
W
D
H
Eb
WH
F#

Chords by degree

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IGpoint of resttonic
IIIBdefines modal qualitythird
VDsupports the tonic sonorityfifth

Typical resolutions & tensions

VIIF#F#
IGG
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IIIBB
IVCC
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IGG
IIAbAb
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how G 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#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmGmajor
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
1 sharp (F#)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

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

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Frequently Asked Questions