A Persian scale
The A Persian scale is a 7-note persian scale built on the root A. Its notes are A, B♭, C♯, D, E♭, F and G♯. Two augmented seconds and a flat second — distinctly Middle-Eastern, dramatic and ornamented. This page covers the formula, fingerings, diatonic chords and common progressions that make A Persian a great tool for improvising and composing.
Persian shows up in Persian classical music and any Western composition reaching for a Middle-Eastern flavour. Two augmented seconds make it instantly recognisable. Built on the root A, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where A is a comfortable tonal centre.
- Notes
- A · B♭ · C♯ · D · E♭ · F · G♯
- Formula
- 1P · 2m · 3M · 4P · 5d · 6m · 7M
- Step pattern
- H W+H H H W W+H H
- Tonic
- A
A Persian on the piano
A Persian on the guitar
A Persian on the staff
Hear the A Persian scale
Improvisation drone
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
Notes of the A Persian scale
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1P | 0 | A | |
| 2 | 2m | 1 | B♭(Bb) | |
| 3 | 3M | 4 | C♯(C#) | |
| 4 | 4P | 5 | D | |
| 5 | 5d | 6 | E♭(Eb) | |
| 6 | 6m | 8 | F | |
| 7 | 7M | 11 | G♯(G#) |
Diatonic chords of A Persian
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
How to use the A Persian scale
The diatonic chords of A Persian are: I = A, II = B♭, III = C♯, iv = Dm, V = E♭, VI+ = F+, VII = G♯. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in A Persian. Click any chord below to open its full diagram and progressions.
Persian shows up in Persian classical music and any Western composition reaching for a Middle-Eastern flavour. Two augmented seconds make it instantly recognisable.
Practice tips
Lean into the two augmented seconds (3 to ♭5 wait — ♭2 to 3, and ♭6 to 7) as expressive ornaments rather than stepwise notes. Slow chromatic ornamentation around them sells the Persian sound.
Where you will hear A Persian
A Persian appears throughout persian shows up in persian classical music and any western composition reaching for a middle-eastern flavour. two augmented seconds make it instantly recognisable. Listening to music in this scale and transcribing short phrases is the fastest way to absorb its sound.
Formula & step pattern
The A Persian scale follows two augmented seconds and a flat second produce a distinctly Middle-Eastern colour (1, ♭2, 3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, 7). Step pattern: H - W+H - H - H - W - W+H - H. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2m · 3M · 4P · 5d · 6m · 7M. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Questions people ask
- What notes are in the A Persian scale?
- The A Persian scale contains A, B♭, C♯, D, E♭, F and G♯.
- What is the formula for the A Persian scale?
- A Persian follows two augmented seconds and a flat second produce a distinctly Middle-Eastern colour (1, ♭2, 3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, 7).
- Is A Persian a major or minor scale?
- A Persian is a persian scale. Two augmented seconds and a flat second — distinctly Middle-Eastern, dramatic and ornamented.
- What chords belong to the A Persian scale?
- The diatonic chords of A Persian are A, B♭, C♯, Dm, E♭, F+, G♯.
- Which genres use A Persian?
- Persian shows up in Persian classical music and any Western composition reaching for a Middle-Eastern flavour. Two augmented seconds make it instantly recognisable.
- How do I practise the A Persian scale?
- Lean into the two augmented seconds (3 to ♭5 wait — ♭2 to 3, and ♭6 to 7) as expressive ornaments rather than stepwise notes. Slow chromatic ornamentation around them sells the Persian sound.