A Persian at a glance
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 |
| Chords in the key | A(♭5)B♭C♯–E♭–G♯DmE♭–G♯–B♭F+G♯–B♭–D |
Chords in the A Persian scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
A Persian on the piano
Improvisation drone · A
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano A Persian uses four black keys (B♭, C♯, E♭ and G♯) and three white.
A · B♭ · C♯ · D · E♭ · F · G♯
Play A Persian on the online piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
A Persian on the guitar
A Persian - fr 0–12
A Persian on the staff
Notes of the A Persian scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | B♭ | minor 2nd2m | 1 | |
| 3 | C♯ | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | D | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | E♭ | diminished 5th5d | 6 | |
| 6 | F | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | G♯ | major 7th7M | 11 |
What makes A Persian different
The Persian scale (1, ♭2, 3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, 7) differs from double harmonic, listed here as Gypsy major, only in its fifth, which is lowered. It keeps both augmented seconds, ♭2 to 3 and ♭6 to 7, and without a perfect fifth over the tonic it sounds less settled than Phrygian dominant. Its half steps come in clusters: 3, 4, ♭5 is a chromatic run, and 7, 1, ♭2 wraps around the tonic. Tight clusters next to wide gaps are what make it sound ornamented rather than modal. On A, A Persian has E♭ where A Gypsy Major has E; every other note is shared with A Gypsy Major (A B♭ C♯ D E F G♯).
How to use the A Persian scale
The diatonic chords of A Persian are: I♭5 = A(♭5), II = B♭, III = C♯–E♭–G♯, iv = Dm, V = E♭–G♯–B♭, VI+ = F+, VII = G♯–B♭–D. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in A Persian. Each one in the chord table on this page opens its own 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 (♭2 to 3 and ♭6 to 7) as expressive ornaments rather than stepwise notes. Slow chromatic ornamentation around them sells the Persian 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.
Where you will hear A Persian
Start with the music described above: listen for A Persian in it and transcribe a few short phrases by ear. It's the quickest way to learn how the scale sounds.
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(♭5), B♭, C♯–E♭–G♯, Dm, E♭–G♯–B♭, F+, G♯–B♭–D.
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 you play the A Persian scale on the piano?
On the piano A Persian uses four black keys (B♭, C♯, E♭ and G♯) and three white.
What is the difference between A Persian and A Gypsy Major?
On A, A Persian has E♭ where A Gypsy Major has E; every other note is shared with A Gypsy Major (A B♭ C♯ D E F G♯).
How do I practise the A Persian scale?
Lean into the two augmented seconds (♭2 to 3 and ♭6 to 7) as expressive ornaments rather than stepwise notes. Slow chromatic ornamentation around them sells the Persian sound.