C Arabian at a glance
Despite the name, the Arabian scale (major Locrian) isn't an Arabic maqam: the label comes from jazz theory books. Its 1, 3, ♭5 and ♭7 spell a dominant seventh flat five, which is the chord jazz players use it over. Its signature is the flat fifth, reached by a half step from the fourth and followed by whole steps up to the octave. Built on the root C, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where C is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | C D E F G♭ A♭ B♭ |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2M · 3M · 4P · 5d · 6m · 7m |
| Step pattern | W W H H W W W |
| Chords in the key | C(♭5)D°E–G♭–B♭FmG♭+A♭+B♭ |
Chords in the C Arabian scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
C Arabian on the piano
Improvisation drone · C
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano C Arabian uses three black keys (G♭, A♭ and B♭) and four white.
C · D · E · F · G♭ · A♭ · B♭
Play C Arabian on the online piano
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C Arabian on the guitar
C Arabian - fr 0–12
C Arabian on the staff
Notes of the C Arabian scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | D | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | E | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | F | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | G♭ | diminished 5th5d | 6 | |
| 6 | A♭ | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | B♭ | minor 7th7m | 10 |
What makes C Arabian different
The Arabian scale as used here (1, 2, 3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7) is also called major Locrian: a major lower half under Locrian's upper half. It differs from the Hindu scale only in the fifth, which is lowered. Six of its seven notes form a whole-tone scale and the fourth is the only note outside it, so it sounds like whole-tone with one foothold. Its only half steps are 3 to 4 and 4 to ♭5, both packed into the middle of the scale. On C, C Arabian has G♭ where C Hindu has G; every other note is shared with C Hindu (C D E F G A♭ B♭).
How to use the C Arabian scale
The diatonic chords of C Arabian are: I♭5 = C(♭5), ii° = D°, III = E–G♭–B♭, iv = Fm, V+ = G♭+, VI+ = A♭+, VII = B♭. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in C Arabian. Each one in the chord table on this page opens its own diagram and progressions.
Despite the name, the Arabian scale (major Locrian) isn't an Arabic maqam: the label comes from jazz theory books. Its 1, 3, ♭5 and ♭7 spell a dominant seventh flat five, which is the chord jazz players use it over. Its signature is the flat fifth, reached by a half step from the fourth and followed by whole steps up to the octave.
Practice tips
Treat the half steps in the middle of the scale (3–4 and 4–♭5) as ornamental targets rather than passing notes. Slow trills and slides there sell the Arabian sound, while the whole steps above ♭5 carry the line up to the octave.
Formula & step pattern
The C Arabian scale follows intervals 1, 2, 3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7, a major lower tetrachord followed by whole steps from the flat fifth to the octave. Step pattern: W - W - H - H - W - W - W. 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 C Arabian
Start with the music described above: listen for C Arabian 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 C Arabian scale?
The C Arabian scale contains C, D, E, F, G♭, A♭ and B♭.
What is the formula for the C Arabian scale?
C Arabian follows intervals 1, 2, 3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7, a major lower tetrachord followed by whole steps from the flat fifth to the octave.
Is C Arabian a major or minor scale?
C Arabian is a arabian scale. Major lower tetrachord, then a flat fifth and whole steps up to the octave: major Locrian, a jazz-book name rather than an Arabic maqam.
What chords belong to the C Arabian scale?
The diatonic chords of C Arabian are C(♭5), D°, E–G♭–B♭, Fm, G♭+, A♭+, B♭.
Which genres use C Arabian?
Despite the name, the Arabian scale (major Locrian) isn't an Arabic maqam: the label comes from jazz theory books. Its 1, 3, ♭5 and ♭7 spell a dominant seventh flat five, which is the chord jazz players use it over. Its signature is the flat fifth, reached by a half step from the fourth and followed by whole steps up to the octave.
How do you play the C Arabian scale on the piano?
On the piano C Arabian uses three black keys (G♭, A♭ and B♭) and four white.
What is the difference between C Arabian and C Hindu?
On C, C Arabian has G♭ where C Hindu has G; every other note is shared with C Hindu (C D E F G A♭ B♭).
How do I practise the C Arabian scale?
Treat the half steps in the middle of the scale (3–4 and 4–♭5) as ornamental targets rather than passing notes. Slow trills and slides there sell the Arabian sound, while the whole steps above ♭5 carry the line up to the octave.