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

Formula: H-A2-H-W-H-A2-H
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.

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.

Piano: C Double Harmonic Major Scale

C major is the foundational key for piano study — all white keys, no black keys in the major scale. Every piano method book begins here. The Double Harmonic Major Scale in C remains the most-studied scale pattern for establishing keyboard geography and finger positioning.