Learning the F Bizantine Scale
The F Bizantine scale uses F, Gb, A, Bb, C, Db and E. Because the root is on the 1st fret of the low E string, the first box sits at the very start of the neck.
Both halves repeat one pattern: half step, augmented second, half step. Gb to A and Db to E are the two wide steps. This is the scale most often meant when people say double harmonic major.
Play the F bizantine scale
Use the step menu in the player to switch between the single-string run and the box shapes.
Notes of the F bizantine scale
| Note | Degree | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | 1 | Root | 0 |
| Gb | b2 | Minor 2nd | 1 |
| A | 3 | Major 3rd | 4 |
| Bb | 4 | Perfect 4th | 5 |
| C | 5 | Perfect 5th | 7 |
| Db | b6 | Minor 6th | 8 |
| E | 7 | Major 7th | 11 |
Structure
F bizantine scale notes:
How the bizantine scale is built:
The bizantine scale is built from the degrees 1 b2 3 4 5 b6 7, which gives the step pattern H-W+H-H-W-H-W+H-H (W = whole step, H = half step).
Counting in semitones from the root: 0, 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11. That makes it a 7-note scale.
It is also known as Double Harmonic Major, Hijaz Kar and Byzantine.
F Bizantine Scale Guitar Patterns
Static diagrams of every position shown in the player above.
On one string (low E)
Box pattern — position 1
Box pattern — position 2
Box pattern — position 3
Box pattern — position 4
Box pattern — position 5
3 notes per string — position 1
3 notes per string — position 2
3 notes per string — position 3
3 notes per string — position 4
3 notes per string — position 5
Chords in the F bizantine scale
Stacking thirds on each degree of the scale gives these chords.
Scales with the same notes as F Bizantine
These scales use exactly the same notes. Each one starts somewhere else, so the root and the mood change.
| Scale | Starts on degree | Learn the scale |
|---|---|---|
| Bb Gipsy Hungarian | 4 | Gipsy Hungarian Scale |
Other scales on F
Same root, different notes. Play them back to back to hear what changes.
- F Persian: b5 instead of 5
- F Arabic: shares 4 notes
- F Indian: drops the 3 and 7
- F Harmonic Major: 2 instead of b2
- F Phrygian Dominant: b7 instead of 7
The bizantine scale in other keys
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Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
