E Double Harmonic Major Scale

Notes in the E Double Harmonic Major Scale

Degree Name Note Frequency (A=440)
1 Tonic E 329.628 Hz
♭2 Phrygian 2nd F 349.228 Hz
3 Major Mediant G# 415.305 Hz
4 Subdominant A 440.000 Hz
5 Dominant B 493.883 Hz
♭6 Minor Submediant C 261.626 Hz
7 Leading Tone D# 311.127 Hz

Interval Pattern

Formula: H-A2-H-W-H-A2-H
Step Interval Semitones From Note To Note
1 Half Step (H) 1 E F
2 Aug 2nd (WH) 3 F G#
3 Half Step (H) 1 G# A
4 Whole Step (W) 2 A B
5 Half Step (H) 1 B C
6 Aug 2nd (WH) 3 C D#
7 Half Step (H) 1 D# E

Chords Built on Scale Degrees

Degree Note Chord Quality
1 E E major
♭2 F F major
3 G# G# minor minor
4 A A minor minor
5 B B (complex) other
♭6 C C augmented augmented
7 D# D# (complex) other

Key Signature

4 — The E key signature uses F#, C#, G#, D#.

E Double Harmonic Major Scale in Practice

The E Double Harmonic Major Scale uses the key signature of 4 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#). E major has four sharps and a powerful, resonant sound particularly suited to guitar. It is one of the most common keys in rock and blues music. On guitar, E 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
E 329.628 Hz 330.001 Hz 327.032 Hz
F 349.228 Hz 347.654 Hz 348.834 Hz
G# 415.305 Hz 417.657 Hz 418.601 Hz
A 440.000 Hz 440.000 Hz 436.043 Hz
B 493.883 Hz 495.000 Hz 490.548 Hz
C 261.626 Hz 260.740 Hz 261.626 Hz
D# 311.127 Hz 309.026 Hz 313.951 Hz

Related Scales

Guitar: E Double Harmonic Major Scale Positions

The E key offers 4 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like E are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.