Fretography

 Explorations of the Double Harmonic scale.

—Also known as the Byzantine scale, Arabic scale, and by other names in different musical traditions.—

The major mode of this scale is symmetrically structured, comprising two identical internally symmetrical tetrachords (4-note scale fragments) with three semitones (halfsteps), two augmented seconds and one whole-tone (wholestep).

The minor mode is rooted in the 4th degree of the major. It is also called a Gypsy Scale, or Hungarian Scale, among other names.

Applying this scale on the guitar means approaching it within its own frame of reference rather than seeking to modify existing Diatonic scale patterns.

In the diagrams here, the scale has the tonic "C". If we were to compare it to the C major scale, we'd say it has a flatted 2nd and 6th. But using that fact as a method for navigating the scale on the fretboard means we'd always be thinking about those major 2nd and 6th notes that we're altering, rather than recognizing the unique forms of the scale on their own.

Since the scale has its own unique symmetries, why not just start from there. Forget about altering anything ... forget about Ionian mode. This scale is not an alteration of Ionian mode, it has its own history and its own logic. To really get it you need to forget everything you know about major scales ...

Think what it would be like if this was the first scale you learned.