C Double Harmonic Major Scale
Notes in the C Double Harmonic Major Scale
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | C | 261.626 Hz |
| ♭2 | Phrygian 2nd | C♯ | 277.183 Hz |
| 3 | Major Mediant | E | 329.628 Hz |
| 4 | Subdominant | F | 349.228 Hz |
| 5 | Dominant | G | 391.995 Hz |
| ♭6 | Minor Submediant | G♯ | 415.305 Hz |
| 7 | Leading Tone | B | 493.883 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Half Step (H) | 1 | C | C♯ |
| 2 | Aug 2nd (WH) | 3 | C♯ | E |
| 3 | Half Step (H) | 1 | E | F |
| 4 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | F | G |
| 5 | Half Step (H) | 1 | G | G♯ |
| 6 | Aug 2nd (WH) | 3 | G♯ | B |
| 7 | Half Step (H) | 1 | B | C |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | C | major |
| ♭2 | C♯ | C♯ | major |
| 3 | E | E minor | minor |
| 4 | F | F minor | minor |
| 5 | G | G (complex) | other |
| ♭6 | G♯ | G♯ augmented | augmented |
| 7 | B | B (complex) | other |
Key Signature
No sharps or flats — C Double Harmonic Major Scale uses the same key signature as C major.
C Double Harmonic Major Scale in Practice
The C Double Harmonic Major Scale uses the key signature of no sharps or flats. C major is the simplest key signature with no sharps or flats. It is the starting point for music theory and the most widely studied key in Western music. On guitar, C positions offer open-string resonance for fingering positions for this scale.
The double harmonic major scale features two augmented second intervals, creating a dramatic, exotic sound. It is prominent in Arabic and Byzantine music and is also known as the Gypsy major or Arabic scale. When played starting on C, the 7 notes are C, C♯, E, F, G, G♯, B. In this key the signature has no sharps or flats. C is the home key of the piano, requiring no black keys for the major scale, and is the default key for most music theory instruction. Beginners typically start in C because its lack of accidentals makes sight-reading, transposition exercises, and harmonic analysis straightforward.
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 261.626 Hz | 260.740 Hz | 261.626 Hz |
| C♯ | 277.183 Hz | 278.437 Hz | 279.067 Hz |
| E | 329.628 Hz | 330.001 Hz | 327.032 Hz |
| F | 349.228 Hz | 347.654 Hz | 348.834 Hz |
| G | 391.995 Hz | 391.111 Hz | 392.438 Hz |
| G♯ | 415.305 Hz | 417.657 Hz | 418.601 Hz |
| B | 493.883 Hz | 495.000 Hz | 490.548 Hz |
Related Scales
Guitar: C Double Harmonic Major Scale Positions
The C key offers open-string resonance (no sharps or flats) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like C are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.