Tuning name: Hijaz
Standard tone sequence: D/ A C D Eb F# G A C
Atmosphere: Exotic - Oriental - Distant
Tonal center: DING or also 1st or 2nd tone
Mode: Phrygian dominant /HMV
Tone range: Heptatonic
Semitones: - 7 - 3 - 2 - 1 - 3 - 1 - 2
from tonal center 1st tone: 1-3-1-2-3...
Tuning description:
The Hijaz scale takes its name from the Arabic/Turkish Maqam Hijaz. Imagine the caravan riding away in old oriental movies. That's what the Hijaz scale sounds like. This maqam is characterized by a minor second from the root note (tonal center) to the next higher note (cf. Phrygian), but this is followed by a minor third (3 semitones), which turns the third note into a major third in relation to the root note (therefore Phrygian dominant). The scale can also be explained by taking a harmonic minor scale and starting from the fifth note of the scale.
Example G minor harmonic: G - A - Bb - C - D - Eb - F# - G
Played from D results in D Hijaz :D - Eb -F# - G - A - Bb - C- D
In the handpan world there are different versions of how this scale is transferred to the handpan. One of the most common is the following:
DING is the root note (tonal center), to the first note it is a fifth, then a minor third. The third note is an octave above the DING. From here it goes in whole tone steps up to the 9th tone, which is a fifth to the 3rd tone (octave plus fifth from the DING).
In jazz, this mode is also called HMV, i.e. harmonic minorplayed from the Vth degree.
Hijaz is often used to lend an oriental touch. It is also played in flamenco music and in many Turkish and Arabic art and folk music styles.
A very exciting scale to explore enchanting melodies and develop some harmonic ideas. Well suited as an extension to Kurd Scale.
Possible tone sequences:
Tone sequence with 9 notes: D/ A C D D# F# G A C
Tone sequence with 10 notes: D/ A C D D# F# G A C D
Tone sequence with 11 notes: D/ (F# G) A C D D# F# G A C
Tone sequence with 12 notes: D/ (F# G) A C D D# F# G A C D
Tone sequence with 13 notes: D/ (F# G) A C D D# F# G A C D (F#)
Tone sequence with 14 notes: D/ (F# G) A C D D# F# G A C D (F# G)
Tone sequence with 15 notes: D/ (F# G) A C D D# F# G A C D (F# G A)
*Bottom notes are additional tone fields on the underside of the handpan and are written in round brackets, e.g. (D E).
Mutant handpans have additional notes on the top shell in the second row - between the chorus and the root note. Mutant notes are written in curly brackets, e.g. {D E}.
→ You can read a detailed article on mutant & bottom-note handpans here: Blog post
→ Discover our full selection of mutant & bottom-note handpans here
We only list the standard layouts under "Possible tone sequences". On request, our handpans can also be made with other notes and in other arrangements. Simply send an email with your request to: service@handpan.world
Suitable moods:
Very suitable for improvised playing together:
- G Romanian Hijaz
- G Harmonic Minor
- D Raga Desh
- C Syamalam
- G Kurd
Also suitable for joint composition: