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