Commonly called the Hungarian Minor Scale, the 4th mode of the Double Harmonic Major scale is a minor mode with a raised 4th and leading tone (7), which gives it a spicy, exotic flavour.
Scale formula
The formula for the Double Harmonic Minor is:
1 – 2 – ♭3 – ♯4 – 5 – ♭6 – 7
Chords
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Minor-major 7 chords (e.g., Am(maj7)): The natural 7 fits this chord beautifully.
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Dominant 7 chords (e.g., E7): Functions as the 5th degree and includes altered tensions like ♯11 or ♭9.
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Dim7 chords (e.g., G#°7): Naturally built from the 7th degree of the scale.
Usage
Double Harmonic Minor is a fiery, expressive minor scale that maintains a minor tonality (♭3) but includes a ♯4 and 7, which intensify its harmonic pull. It’s very common in Hungarian folk music, Romani (Gypsy) music, and metal or neoclassical soloing. The augmented second between the ♭3 and ♯4 gives it its signature melodic leap. It works well in V-i minor key resolutions, modal compositions, or for lead playing that sounds mysterious but resolved.