The DOUBLE Harmonic MAJOR Scale - The Jack of all DARK Trades!

In this crystal clear guitar lesson you can learn all about the very special double harmonic major scale. It’s the darkest scale ever and yet it is a major scale! From the 60ties surf rock Pulp Fiction theme to Jazz to oriental sounds and even old school metal, the scale will bring some extra juice. Maybe this scale is the jack of all trades of the dark side. Improvise over maj7 chords to sound awesome and different. The scale has a built in tritone substitution and some weird chords that can sound very different and surprising.
The scale has some pretty spicy modes too like the Lydian #2 #6, Ultra Phrygian, Gypsy minor, Oriental, Ionian augmented #2 and Locrian double flat 3 double flat 7 mode.
0:00 Introduction
00:51 Structure of the scale
03:44 Harmonizing the scale
05:59 Build in tritone substitution
07:59 Ambiguous scale degrees
9:47 Improvising with the scale
12:02 Progressions
14:08 Modes
20:24 Conclusion
Crystal Clear E-BOOKS with audio files:
qjamtracks.myshopify.com/
=========================
PATREON:
Supporting material can be found here:
/ qjamtracks
=================
Artwork: (c) 2021) Rob van Hal
Pexels.com / pixabay.com
Used:
Strandberg* Boden Prog NX (www.strandbergguitars.com)
And:
Ibanez JEM 7vb (www.Ibanez.com)
Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com)
Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com)
Castilla Classical Guitars
Oktave MK-012 microphone
Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com)
Neural DSP plugins (www.neuraldsp.com)
Fireface UCXII audio interface (www.rme-audio.de)
Sony FX30
Sigma Contemporary 30mm F1.4
Aperture Studio Lights
Godox Softboxes
Social Media/contact:
www.patreon.com/QJamTracks
QJamTracks
QJamTracks
/ qjamtracks
(c)2023 Rob van Hal, Netherlands
Subjects in this video:
Double harmonic major scale, modes, double harmonic minor scale, byzantine scale, Major scale, Arabic scale, gypsy major, gypsy minor, Miserlou, pulp fiction theme, guitar scale, improvising, jazz guitar, Rock guitar solo, ethnic music, ethnic scale, Music theory, guitar lesson, guitar tutorial, QJamTracks.

[@Calvingtr]

Thanks!

[@QJamTracks]

Thank you Calvin! Means a lot!

[@prax909]

This is the first scale taught to students when learning south indian carnatic music. Its called Mayamalavagowla.

[@sreeravi25]

OMG, thanks for this proper name. I have been instinctively trying to find the name of this "raag" ever since I spent a few weeks on learning carnatic piano notes. Fell in love with it, but couldn't articulate this "scale" till I accidentally found this video and comment.

[@bodhisattwachanda3436]

​@@sreeravi25 This scale also known as "Bhairav Raga" in Indian Classical Music...

[@carlosalves4444]

My Brain is scrambled but my ears are in tune with this. So much to unpack here, but definitely worth the time. Great lesson thanks 😊

[@chusssMusic]

It is also called "Byzantine" Since it is related to that region far back in history. Very exotic and inspiring scale. Thanks for the great video.

[@QJamTracks]

Hi Chusss. Thanks! Indeed it's called the Byzantine scale. You're from Egypt right? I think the folklore music of Egypt must be full of beautiful Exotic scales. I want to thank you too for all those awesome backing tracks that I jammed over for hundreds of hours. Good luck with your channel and music Chusss!

[@jmcsquared18]

Tbh most modes of this scale are strange, but I think double harmonic itself isn't. Within a given octave, it's the only mode where there are no chromatic triplets. So, it makes more sense heptatonically, and imo it sounds the most stable. It also sounds very much at home for me, a lot like Phrygian dominant and harmonic major fused together (which it basically is), and I love both of those scales.

[@Web4Panama]

I play around with this scale quite a bit. I now know a lot more. Cheers.

[@Overdrivenn]

To me, you are the best guitar instructor I have come across, ever (at the very least for intermediate level). Somehow you have the right balance in clarity (even though english may not be your first language, in other words great communicator), pace (no time or words wasted), structure (video editing), charisma, and your examples are top notch (my favourite element) - not overcomplicated technically but focuses in presenting the concepts being thought whilst still retaining great melodic appeal. I plan to join your patreon, buy your books, videos, anything you produce/create. Keep up the work and thank you!

[@5400bowen]

I haven’t heard any new music theory since 1978 in college theory and jazz theory. Never met anyone except my instructor back then that knew more (or ANYHYING!) I didn’t already know about theory. But you just taught an old dog a new trick. Total respect to you. And especially the way you knew the background info and explained it quickly and clearly. Kudos!

[@gavinsnyder5627]

Ive been playing for years now an ill be honest, I've never heard of a double harmonic major scale. Really neat. Probably a great tool for writing progressive music styles. This channel is great not only for showing these types of things but because it breaks it down and demostrates how it could be utilized in a practical sense. This channel can't get enough apprciation for the information here. 👍

[@bodhisattwachanda3436]

I'm just stunned when heard the modes of this scale... Such a super duper awesome sounding dark scale... I'll definitely try it... Thanks for the crystal clear lesson... These videos are like founding a GOLD CHEST... Appreciate your hard work sir... ❤

[@vibeinc3444]

I’ve heard the double harmonic scale in dream theater now that I watch this

[@heliosophist334]

Amazing lesson. The explanations were to the point and the graphics were top notch.

[@felixplaza823]

Excellent (as always!!!)

[@Jacks97]

Thanks a lot for this videos!! This is gold!!

[@flavy1000]

One of the nicest sounding scales, and my fav , for sure...!Thanks for another great video!

[@afhoj]

Superb, really interesting stuff and great graphics!

[@vijaysarma2378]

Mayamalavagowla in the South Indian music tradition. Used for beginners lessons and familiar to even the most tone deaf South Indian. And deeply spiritual rather than dark.

[@Dirkvreugd]

Great info. Odered the Ebook andclove your work !

[@JamesMaurer]

Absolutely outstanding video. Everything was incredibly well explained and to the point. Well done! All the best!

[@pobinr]

Nice & clear explanation. Thanks

[@ruperterskin2117]

Cool. Thanks for sharing.

[@Calvingtr]

Love this thank you!

[@Egesuk]

This scale is actually a tempered adaptation of the Turkish makam Hicazkâr. It has very few differences when played using the correct microtones or "koma"s as it is called in Turkish classical music. Since it's easy to play on a tempered instrument such as electric guitar and relatively easier to harmonize compared to other Makams, it is used a lot in different styles. Also it sounds great!

[@QJamTracks]

Thanks for your knowledge!

[@craigfouche]

Your theory is next level Rob, another polished lesson, thank you!

[@QJamTracks]

Thanks Graig!

[@radiozelaza]

I believe the song "Hatred" by Manowar has this chromatic mediant C->E progression and it always struck me as very haunting

[@skateebee]

It's always a good day when QJam drops a new video!🤘

[@QJamTracks]

Thank you!

[@harrisbeatsfrankou6304]

@@QJamTracks Hi you're awesome but you put E on Eb 🎸😽

[@steveymoon]

drops?

[@mtllr5f9i]

Excellent lesson 👏👍

[@lawboss]

That was fun!

[@ProspectorAl]

Excellent video. Not too hard to follow. You are the best!

[@mikegeld1280]

Great video 👍another "odd" scale to add to my list,good stuff man 😎

[@charlesdelajungle9473]

Thank you

[@riffcrescendo1740]

Excellent

[@hecateswolf6007]

I don't play guitar but I play saxophone and I found your explanation of the modes of the double harmonic major to be excellent really thorough. Thank you. Subscribed.

[@5M_Musique]

As always: it’s a great video. I tend to find all your « exotic » scales videos quite interesting and useful! I would love to see a complimentary video about chords progression of all these modes. As if they were use for song composition and how to improvise on each of them. Kind of like what you’ve done with the modes of the major scale. Thanks again: great video and maybe the only one on KZbin really helpful about this topic!

[@QJamTracks]

Thanks! I always try to describe the theory in a way that it lead to practical use. I'm glad to hear that the lesson is indeed useful :)

[@TravisPastramee]

Why is this guy such a good teacher, and why did I take so long to discover this channel? Thanks for this. I am a new sub and binge watcher of your videos.

[@QJamTracks]

Thanks!

[@LukasOfner]

You are the best music theory content creator on KZbin. Keep up the good work, it is unbelivable how good your videos and teaching are. And your mistake in the beginning of the video makes you all the more lovable! All the best!

[@QJamTracks]

Thank you Lukas! I'm just of of the bunch, trying to link theory to actually making music :)

[@peterharris6942]

awesome

[@williamcompitello2302]

The 2nd mode is egregiously underrated!

[@yonedelcastillo4491]

Me encanta tu canal

[@charlesdelajungle9473]

I worked that on the piano. It gave me answers (hunted me for decades) about the famous "Toccata and Fugue in Dm" from Jean Sebastian (in the lasts theme recall you have C#-E-F-F#-A) and is also the key for the first chords in the main theme of the "Heroic Polonaise in Ab" from Frédérique (with a C#-D-Eb) (I thought it was polymodal but it was just Hungarian). In the two cases , it's in the beginning of the theme creating an instability effect, it's not persistant, it is suited with a strong major who sounds magically heavy. There are many things like that, things that you never heard before and, just because a good guy give you the keyword and the path, you discover that you have it 1 meter in front of your nose, written in front of you and you didn't notice times and times. In 2o minutes, you have make me less idiot.

[@zethkarrade]

I use double harmonic minor and ultra phrygian snippets in alot of minor gypsy jazz standards; didn't actually know the names though, just followed my ear. Awesome stuff mate.

[@victork8708]

i love the way you pronounce shkale

[@coolchainRocknRide]

Another great guitar tutorial from a legend master🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@QJamTracks]

Thank you! :)

[@ngeljayvier]

Your are aguitar guru . Awesome knowledge so interesting... great job Sir

[@QJamTracks]

Thanks!

[@bigdaddynasty69]

took me a few minutes to figure what root scale this derives from it's the 5th mode of the hungarian minor scale great video

[@kukumuniu5658]

18:42 cm6 as tonic chord but also can be Cmaj(c,f flat,g) and Caug (c,f flat,a flat)

[@guitarplayer1434]

first scale picture you have an E marked in the scale but it is in the position of Eflat at 1:17

[@jadonx]

Had me confused but must be 7th fret E for the G# to be major 3rd away.

[@dugger0]

I'm only 3 minutes in and I love this channel. You actually explain the scale instead of just "here play this one simple trick" Thank you Have you done lydian dominant?

[@tonyrapa-tonyrapa]

DHMajor sounds great. Definitely a lot of possibilities to inject a bit of darkness into a track.

[@ralf5489]

First things first, a truly wonderful lesson - thank you very much for that. 😊 Actually, I am a bass player, but I consistently learn a lot from your lessons. Speaking of bass, I'd also like to express my gratitude for the brief moment (@12:40) of guitar and bass content. Perhaps you might consider expanding on this a bit further, potentially even broadening your reach. It's just a modest suggestion. 😔 I find that there aren't many channels demonstrating the direct interplay between guitar and bass, even though this is likely one of the most common combinations during collaborative play. Best regards

[@aryanprakash6412]

Please upload video on double harmonic minor scale and modes

[@marshwitch9610]

One of my fav scales but you don’t have to leave out the b5 in your chords… it’s metal af!

[@Fogertian]

I'd like to learn another strange scale, like this one, the one that you hear with a band called Mdou Moctar. Guitar player is great with that vibe on a Strat. Hi from Monte(r)ey, N.L., Mexico !!!!

[@QJamTracks]

I think he's doing a good job by melting western and ethnic music. I do like the fusion of cultures to create a whole new sound or art form.

[@teelurizzo8542]

Thanks for sharing. @ 3:3 9 -Aren't you missing a B natural on the top left diagram, fifth string?

[@QJamTracks]

Yes...forgot that one...

[@reedbass5644]

I've just discovered your videos and I think they're great: you go in depth to cover the topics in an easy to follow style. However, it seems that your graphic of the A Harmonic Minor scale at 1:10 isn't quite wrong: you've included the b5 but labelled it as the 5.

[@bradb2680]

Reminds me of the band 'secret chiefs 3'

[@QJamTracks]

Interesting music!

[@chiesi]

What happen when you rise the 2nd amd 5th degree of the major scale then? It is like we're playing the same scale, but from different directions. I like to see it from the minor point of view, just rise the 4th and 7th degree of the Eolian.

[@startrooper2earth]

It sounds like Szabo Gabor uses it a lot?

[@ktuluflux]

Mayamalavagowlam ragam it’s the first mode or scale you learn in Carnatic music

[@coldsteelprogressive]

Very nice explanation and demonstration. Spontaneous impression: your playing of the C major scale around the 2 minute mark didn't seem to be in equal tempered tuning. Understandably, other tuning systems might render the Double Harmonic scale to advantage. What tuning system did you employ there?

[@QJamTracks]

I think it was maybe not quite in tune or too much effects :)

[@coldsteelprogressive]

@@QJamTracks But it sounded really wonderful, just the same :) It might be under appreciated how much slight adjustments of pitch affect musical presentation. Of course, we're limited somewhat to adjust that on guitar.

[@the_eternal_student]

I think that c locrian bb3 bb7 was supposed to have an ebb, unles you altered on purpose to make it dim.

[@Blueguitar007]

Dick Dale flats the 7th when walking down the riff.

[@Jacobin777]

Now first let's derive the modes from F Double Harmonic Major scale by starting the scale every day on other notes. The 1st mode is the F Double Harmonic Major scale itself the scale degrees are 1, b2 - minor 2, 3, 4, 5, b6 - minor 6, 7.The 2nd mode starts on Gb. This is the lydian #2 #6 scale. This means that lydian scale(major scale with #4/4th mode of major scale) but with #2 and #6. The scale degrees are 1 #2 - augmented 2 3 #4 - augmented 4 5 #6 - augmented 6 7. Now the 3rd mode F Double Harmonic Major scale is a Altered Natural 5 bb7. This is the 3rd mode of the major scale(minor scale with b2) but with b4 and bb7. The scale degrees are 1, b2(minor 2) b3(minor 3) b4(diminished 4) 5 b6(minor 6) bb7(diminished 7).

[@paragan]

Also known as sails of Charon scale :)

[@QJamTracks]

In the heavy times of the Scorpions :)

[@MrMacGaunaa]

Note that the figure showing A harmonic minor 1:04 to 1:20 is erroneous. The dot for the fifth (E) on the fretboard figure is one fret too low (so the dot is where the flat fifth, D#, really is). Also, the F in the a harmonic minor is the flatted sixth, so there should have been a "b" in front of the 6 in the figure.

[@yvesbajulaz]

👍💪

[@karayuschij]

My biggest question is: how can you memorize all this (plus all the rest)? :D :D

[@QJamTracks]

That is a very good question... It's very hard to learn all this by heart and put it to practice and then move on to the next scale and do it all over. I think it's better to gradually get familiar with a concept. Take it on part by part and not all the modes at once for instance. Play and fool around a lot with the scale or one of its modes and try to get a feel for it. Some modes will stick to you better then then others. Just focus on that and you will make it your own.

[@Conanthebarbiturate]

Why in Gb5 is does it say F on the D string? Isn’t it G? And isn’t that Db C?

[@augmented2nd666]

Phyrgian Dominant b6 with a Major 7? I always thought Phyrgian Dominant didnt make much sense as Dominant typically refers to the 7th degree, not the 3rd which in Phrygian Dominant is a major 3rd rather than a minor 3rd. After a while the intervals overlap in terms of nomenclature or naming schemes.

[@gamma7824]

dude you ain’t got to say “b6”, phrygian already states that. Dominant only refers to the tritone that the scale structure creates.

[@jonw3462]

I think deftones my own summer also uses it

[@ocarinaofspace]

Very interesting but doesn't the Phrygian Major actually have a b7 instead of a 7 because if it's just the the phrygian mode with a major 3rd, we shouldn't really change the 7th isn't it?

[@donnydorfel]

That guitar makes me think of watching someone with a stomp! 🤣🤜

[@someguy3429]

This one is ok but the harmonic major is really nice sounding

[@angledcoathanger]

Friendship ended with Phrygian

[@TheRapeking]

In the First Diagram (a harmonic Minor) the 5th is a half step flatter than it should be. It should be on the 7th fret, not the 6th.

[@arpankarmakar710]

It’s variab rag in classical music of India

[@SheeshSalouh-tg6eh]

in Arabic music this is called maqam Hijaz-kar

[@the_eternal_student]

The second and third modes give you the tristan and isolde chord. I wonder if Wagner was thinking of this scale.

[@QJamTracks]

If I'm correct he was thinking of quartal or quintal chords...

[@the_eternal_student]

the tristan and isolde chord is a half diminished chord if you start from the bass note giving you the second mode of double harmonic major starting on the b6 scale degree, if you play the same chord but take the sooprano as the root, it is the third mode on scale degree 7, giving you a minor chord with a diminished 7th. i believe you are thinking of Ravel who was in France; he developed quintal and quartal chords. Wagner is different, he lived in Germany.@@QJamTracks

[@QJamTracks]

Great celebration! Thank you for this.

[@aryanprakash6412]

Is oriental mode also a Persian scale ?

[@QJamTracks]

The Persian scale has b6 and major 7th, the Oriental mode the other way around.

[@victork8708]

havaaaa nagila havaaaaa

[@spinozacelt]

Reminds me of Blackmore.

[@jadonx]

I think Blackmore like Schenker was a natural musician that didn't learn scales so played them by ear unknowingly.

[@spinozacelt]

@@jadonx indeed.Jon Lord once said Blackmore got a lot of his ideas from listening to eastern european radio on a radio fitted into his hat.Sounds daft enough to be true.

[@mattwhitfield9850]

Your structure diagram at 1:15 of the video is wrong.... it shows D to E as a half step

[@user-pm2xj9st6f]

There are more harmonic scales. Harmonic Lydian 1 2 3 #4 5 b6 7 Double Harmonic Lydian 1 b2 3 #4 5 b6 7 Harmonic Phrygian is Neapolitan Minor 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 7 Double harmonic Phrygian 1 b2 b3 #4 5 b6 7 Harmonic Locrian is Locrian natural 7 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 7 Major exotic scales are b2, b6 and b2 b6. Mix, ion , lyd Mix b2, mixb6, mix b2 b6 Ionb2, ion b6, ion b2 b6 Lydb2, lyd b6, lyd b2 b6 Minor exotic scales are #4, #7 and #4 #7. Dor, aeol, phry, Dor#4, dor#7, dor#4#7 Aeol#4, aeol#7, aeol#4#7 Phry#4, phry#7, phry#4#7 Loc #7, loc#3, loc#3#7 Alt nat7, altnat5, altnat5nat7 I'm not sure why noone teaches this.

[@NoahGeldhofOfficial]

Are you from the Netherlands?

[@QJamTracks]

Yes :)

[@NoahGeldhofOfficial]

@@QJamTracks ha cool! Me too. You’re accent is really great! But i think we dutch people recognize the accent very quick. Paul Davids, also a dutch guitar instructor on youtube and he speaks english as well.

[@QJamTracks]

Ja allemaal Dutchies :)

[@mtllr5f9i]

You from Sweden?

[@QJamTracks]

Netherlands...

[@janezimmerman7987]

The diagram at 1:13 is wrong.

[@JAYDUBYAH29]

Otherwise known as Phrygian Major, the 5th mode of Harmonic Minor? Oh, wait, it has a major 7th though…

[@barsarkjack1714]

If we put komas of it, we call “zirgüleli hicaz makam” in Turkey. Love 🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷

[@rodrigosuarez2914]

Your A harmonic minor scale diagram is wrong 1:10 timestamp

[@dyno3710]

So the C major scale (C D E F G A B C) we can name it ,,C major melodic" or ,,C major natural"?

[@QJamTracks]

This scale (C-D-E-F-G-A-B) is called the diatonic major scale or just "major scale". It is also called the Ionic mode. The names you mention don't exist.

[@mtllr5f9i]

I think calling double harmonic major as Phrygian major is a big stretch - Phrygian#3#7 🤔. I think a Phrygian should have a minor 7th. I think the correct Phrygian major is Phrygian dominant since it's a Phrygian with a major 3rd. Well, whatever, nevermind...

[@aikisato7852]

Smells like Beato...

[@Saratovking]

Shcale

[@reeseblair2878]

Phrygian major has a flat 7 not major 7

[@ShawnCranko]

Dude. Tune your e string. Please. a whole video with an out of tune string. But cool video.

[@moralitypolice8334]

headless guitars are a sin against nature

[@QJamTracks]

Yes...headless guitars, bikes with two wheels and cars on electricity... what more evil lies for us in the future ;)

[@stoopidpants]

Piano player here, this was useful but confusing lol. It's like speaking the same language with a huge dialect difference - those charts might as well be the progression of a game.

[@WickBeavers]

is your name "Q" tracks because you are a Q member?

[@QJamTracks]

I really don't know what a Q member is :)