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.

Short answer

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

Show:
Piano keyboard highlighting the A♯ Persian scale notesC𝄪EG𝄪BC𝄪EG𝄪BD♯F♯A♯D♯F♯A♯A♯ Persian - A♯ · B · C𝄪 · D♯ · E · F♯ · G𝄪

A♯ Persian on the guitar

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Position:
Guitar fretboard highlighting the A♯ Persian scale noteseBGDAEEF♯G𝄪A♯BC𝄪D♯EBC𝄪D♯EF♯G𝄪A♯BG𝄪A♯BC𝄪D♯EF♯C𝄪D♯EF♯G𝄪A♯BC𝄪G𝄪A♯BC𝄪D♯EF♯G𝄪EF♯G𝄪A♯BC𝄪D♯EA♯ Persian - fr 012

A♯ Persian on the staff

Hear the A♯ Persian scale

A♯ Persian
A♯ · B · C𝄪 · D♯ · E · F♯ · G𝄪
A♯BC𝄪D♯EF♯G𝄪

Improvisation drone

Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.

A♯ Persian
A♯

Notes of the A♯ Persian scale

DegreeIntervalSemitonesNoteHear
11P0A♯(A#)
22m1B
33M4C𝄪(C##)
44P5D♯(D#)
55d6E
66m8F♯(F#)
77M11G𝄪(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 = D♯m, 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

Formula
1P · 2m · 3M · 4P · 5d · 6m · 7M
Step pattern
H - W+H - H - H - W - W+H - H

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𝄪, D♯m, 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.