D Double Harmonic Major Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Double Drop D tuning — fretboard diagram
D Double Harmonic Major in Double Drop D — Notes and Intervals
The D Double Harmonic Major scale, commonly known as the Byzantine scale, is a perfectly balanced seven-note scale. On Guitar, it contains the notes D, Eb, F#, G, A, Bb, C#. It offers an extreme exotic tension with two augmented seconds, used to create iconic surf-rock and Middle Eastern themes. Commonly used in Middle Eastern, Surf Rock, Metal, Film Scores. Notable players include Dick Dale, Rainbow, Marty Friedman. Use over major chords in Middle Eastern and surf rock contexts. The b2 and b6 add exotic color to an otherwise major framework.
Notes: D, Eb, F#, G, A, Bb, C#
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3M, 4P, 5P, 6m, 7M
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 5 b6 7
Formula: H-WH-H-W-H-WH-H
Number of notes: 7
Tuning: Double Drop D (D-A-D-G-B-D)
Also known as: gypsy
About Double Drop D Tuning
Double Drop D tuning (D-A-D-G-B-D) lowers both the 6th and 1st strings from E to D, creating a symmetrical frame of D notes around the standard middle four strings. This gives a distinctly resonant, jangly character that has been beloved in folk-rock and acoustic music since the late 1960s.
Neil Young used Double Drop D extensively — 'Cinnamon Girl' features its distinctive droning riff, and 'The Needle and the Damage Done' showcases its intimate fingerpicking potential. Jimmy Page used it on Led Zeppelin's 'Going to California'. Fleetwood Mac's 'The Chain' also employs this tuning. Because only two strings change (both by just one whole step), Double Drop D is one of the easiest alternate tunings to learn — most standard chord shapes on the inner four strings remain unchanged.
Notable artists: Neil Young, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Fleetwood Mac, Crosby Stills Nash & Young
Best for: Folk-rock songwriting, D-centric acoustic arrangements, droning fingerpicking patterns, and any song that benefits from rich D-string resonance on both outer strings
Musical Character
Contains two augmented 2nd intervals placed symmetrically, giving it a perfectly balanced exotic tension. Dick Dale used it to create the iconic surf rock 'Misirlou' guitar tone.
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- D Double Harmonic Major in Standard Tuning
- D Double Harmonic Major in Drop D
- D Double Harmonic Major in DADGAD
- D Double Harmonic Major in Open G
- D Double Harmonic Major in Baritone (B Standard)
- D Double Harmonic Major in 7-string
- D Double Harmonic Major in 8-string
- D Double Harmonic Major in Drop C
- D Double Harmonic Major in Drop B
- D Double Harmonic Major in Open D
- D Double Harmonic Major in Half Step Down
- D Double Harmonic Major in Open E
- D Double Harmonic Major in Open A
- D Double Harmonic Major in Open C