F Double Harmonic Major Scale

Notes in the F Double Harmonic Major Scale

Degree Name Note Frequency (A=440)
1 Tonic F 349.228 Hz
♭2 Phrygian 2nd Gb 369.994 Hz
3 Major Mediant A 440.000 Hz
4 Subdominant Bb 466.164 Hz
5 Dominant C 261.626 Hz
♭6 Minor Submediant Db 277.183 Hz
7 Leading Tone E 329.628 Hz

Interval Pattern

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

Chords Built on Scale Degrees

Degree Note Chord Quality
1 F F major
♭2 Gb Gb major
3 A A minor minor
4 Bb Bb minor minor
5 C C (complex) other
♭6 Db Db augmented augmented
7 E E (complex) other

Key Signature

1 — The F key signature uses Bb.

F Double Harmonic Major Scale in Practice

The F Double Harmonic Major Scale uses the key signature of 1 flat (Bb). F major has one flat (Bb) and a warm, pastoral quality. It is one of the most natural keys for wind instruments and is frequently used in orchestral and choral music. On guitar, F positions offer comfortable transposing instrument keys 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
F 349.228 Hz 347.654 Hz 348.834 Hz
Gb 369.994 Hz 371.251 Hz 367.911 Hz
A 440.000 Hz 440.000 Hz 436.043 Hz
Bb 466.164 Hz 463.538 Hz 470.926 Hz
C 261.626 Hz 260.740 Hz 261.626 Hz
Db 277.183 Hz 278.437 Hz 279.067 Hz
E 329.628 Hz 330.001 Hz 327.032 Hz

Related Scales

Transposing Instruments: F Double Harmonic Major Scale

F is a natural key for B♭ instruments (trumpet, clarinet, tenor sax), which sound a major second lower than written. B♭ instruments reading in C produce F concert pitch. E♭ instruments (alto sax, baritone sax) reading in F sound a major sixth lower.