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)BC𝄪–E–G𝄪D♯mE–G𝄪–BF♯+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 three black keys (A♯, D♯ and F♯) and four white. C𝄪 and G𝄪 are the white keys you'd normally call D and A.
A♯ · B · C𝄪 · D♯ · E · F♯ · G𝄪
Try A♯ Persian on the virtual piano
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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 = D♯m, 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𝄪, D♯m, 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 three black keys (A♯, D♯ and F♯) and four white. C𝄪 and G𝄪 are the white keys you'd normally call D and A.
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.