Notes in the C Double Harmonic scale
| Degree | Note | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | Tonic |
| ♭2 | D♭ | Supertonic |
| 3 | E | Mediant |
| 4 | F | Subdominant |
| 5 | G | Dominant |
| ♭6 | A♭ | Submediant |
| 7 | B | Leading tone |
Each note uses a different letter name, so the spelling follows the scale rather than the keyboard: C D♭ E F G A♭ B.
C 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 C Double Harmonic scale
Stacking thirds on each note of the scale gives these chords:
| Degree | Triad | 7th chord |
|---|---|---|
| I | C | Cmaj7 |
| II | D♭ | D♭maj7 |
| iii | Em | Em7 |
| iv | Fm | Fm(maj7) |
| V | G | G7 |
| VI+ | A♭+ | A♭7♯5 |
| vii° | B° | B°7 |
Chord names link to guitar chord shapes where we have them.
How to practise the C 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 C Double Harmonic scale?
The notes of the C Double Harmonic scale are C D♭ E F G A♭ B.
What is the formula for the C 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 C Double Harmonic scale?
Built from the scale in triads: C, D♭, Em, Fm, G, A♭+, B°.
More C scales
C Major, C Natural Minor, C Harmonic Minor, C Melodic Minor, C Dorian, C Phrygian, C Lydian, C Mixolydian, C Locrian, C Major Pentatonic, C Minor Pentatonic, C Blues, C Lydian Dominant, C Altered, C Whole Tone, C Dorian ♭2, C Lydian Augmented, C Mixolydian ♭6, C Locrian ♯2, C Phrygian Dominant, C Hungarian Minor, C Diminished (W–H), C Diminished (H–W), C Bebop Dominant, C 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.