B 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 B, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where B is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | B C D♯ E F G A♯ |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2m · 3M · 4P · 5d · 6m · 7M |
| Step pattern | H W+H H H W W+H H |
| Chords in the key | B(♭5)CD♯–F–A♯EmF–A♯–CG+A♯–C–E |
Chords in the B Persian scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
B Persian on the piano
Improvisation drone · B
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano B Persian uses two black keys (D♯ and A♯) and five white.
B · C · D♯ · E · F · G · A♯
Try B Persian on the virtual piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
B Persian on the guitar
B Persian - fr 0–12
B Persian on the staff
Notes of the B Persian scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | C | minor 2nd2m | 1 | |
| 3 | D♯ | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | E | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | F | diminished 5th5d | 6 | |
| 6 | G | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | A♯ | major 7th7M | 11 |
What makes B 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 B, B Persian has F where B Gypsy Major has F♯; every other note is shared with B Gypsy Major (B C D♯ E F♯ G A♯).
How to use the B Persian scale
The diatonic chords of B Persian are: I♭5 = B(♭5), II = C, III = D♯–F–A♯, iv = Em, V = F–A♯–C, VI+ = G+, VII = A♯–C–E. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in B 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 B 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 B Persian
Start with the music described above: listen for B 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 B Persian scale?
The B Persian scale contains B, C, D♯, E, F, G and A♯.
What is the formula for the B Persian scale?
B Persian follows two augmented seconds and a flat second produce a distinctly Middle-Eastern colour (1, ♭2, 3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, 7).
Is B Persian a major or minor scale?
B Persian is a persian scale. Two augmented seconds and a flat second — distinctly Middle-Eastern, dramatic and ornamented.
What chords belong to the B Persian scale?
The diatonic chords of B Persian are B(♭5), C, D♯–F–A♯, Em, F–A♯–C, G+, A♯–C–E.
Which genres use B 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 B Persian scale on the piano?
On the piano B Persian uses two black keys (D♯ and A♯) and five white.
What is the difference between B Persian and B Gypsy Major?
On B, B Persian has F where B Gypsy Major has F♯; every other note is shared with B Gypsy Major (B C D♯ E F♯ G A♯).
How do I practise the B 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.