Notes in the B Double Harmonic scale
| Degree | Note | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | Tonic |
| ♭2 | C | Supertonic |
| 3 | D♯ | Mediant |
| 4 | E | Subdominant |
| 5 | F♯ | Dominant |
| ♭6 | G | Submediant |
| 7 | A♯ | Leading tone |
Each note uses a different letter name, so the spelling follows the scale rather than the keyboard: B C D♯ E F♯ G A♯.
B Double Harmonic scale formula
The pattern of steps from one note to the next is H – W+H – H – W – H – W+H – H (W = whole step, H = half step). Compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 ♭2 3 4 5 ♭6 7.
Chords in the B Double Harmonic scale
Stacking thirds on each note of the scale gives these chords:
| Degree | Triad | 7th chord |
|---|---|---|
| I | B | Bmaj7 |
| II | C | Cmaj7 |
| iii | D♯m | D♯m7 |
| iv | Em | Em(maj7) |
| V | F♯ | F♯7 |
| VI+ | G+ | G7♯5 |
| vii° | A♯° | A♯°7 |
Chord names link to guitar chord shapes where we have them.
How to practise the B Double Harmonic scale
Learn it as a variation of a scale you know and listen for the augmented second, the big step that gives it the sound. Play it over a drone on the root to hear the colour before you write with it.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes in the B Double Harmonic scale?
The notes of the B Double Harmonic scale are B C D♯ E F♯ G A♯.
What is the formula for the B Double Harmonic scale?
The pattern of whole and half steps is H – W+H – H – W – H – W+H – H (W = whole step, H = half step). In scale degrees: 1 ♭2 3 4 5 ♭6 7.
What chords are in the B Double Harmonic scale?
Built from the scale in triads: B, C, D♯m, Em, F♯, G+, A♯°.
More B scales
B Major, B Natural Minor, B Harmonic Minor, B Melodic Minor, B Dorian, B Phrygian, B Lydian, B Mixolydian, B Locrian, B Major Pentatonic, B Minor Pentatonic, B Blues, B Lydian Dominant, B Altered, B Dorian ♭2, B Mixolydian ♭6, B Locrian ♯2, B Phrygian Dominant, B Hungarian Minor, B Diminished (W–H), B Diminished (H–W), B Bebop Dominant, B Bebop Major
Explore the full scales library, find a scale from notes with the scale finder, or see every chord in every key in the chord chart.