C Arabian scale
The C Arabian scale is a 7-note arabian scale built on the root C. Its notes are C, D, E, F, G♭, A♭ and B♭. Major upper tetrachord followed by a half-step descent through the lower tetrachord — open, expressive, often heard in Maqam-style melodies. This page covers the formula, fingerings, diatonic chords and common progressions that make C Arabian a great tool for improvising and composing.
Arabian shows up in Maqam-style melodies, Egyptian and Levantine pop, and Western film scoring after a sense of place. The half-steps in the upper tetrachord are its signature. 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
- Tonic
- C
C Arabian on the piano
C Arabian on the guitar
C Arabian on the staff
Hear the C Arabian scale
Improvisation drone
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
Notes of the C Arabian scale
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1P | 0 | C | |
| 2 | 2M | 2 | D | |
| 3 | 3M | 4 | E | |
| 4 | 4P | 5 | F | |
| 5 | 5d | 6 | G♭(Gb) | |
| 6 | 6m | 8 | A♭(Ab) | |
| 7 | 7m | 10 | B♭(Bb) |
Diatonic chords of C Arabian
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 C Arabian scale
The diatonic chords of C Arabian are: I = C, ii° = D°, III = E, 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. Click any chord below to open its full diagram and progressions.
Arabian shows up in Maqam-style melodies, Egyptian and Levantine pop, and Western film scoring after a sense of place. The half-steps in the upper tetrachord are its signature.
Practice tips
Treat the half-steps in the upper tetrachord (♭5–♭6 and ♭6–♭7) as ornamental targets rather than passing notes — slow trills and slides between them sell the Arabian sound.
Where you will hear C Arabian
C Arabian appears throughout arabian shows up in maqam-style melodies, egyptian and levantine pop, and western film scoring after a sense of place. the half-steps in the upper tetrachord are its signature. Listening to music in this scale and transcribing short phrases is the fastest way to absorb its sound.
Formula & step pattern
The C Arabian scale follows intervals 1, 2, 3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7 — a major lower tetrachord followed by half steps walking down the upper tetrachord. 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.
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 half steps walking down the upper tetrachord.
- Is C Arabian a major or minor scale?
- C Arabian is a arabian scale. Major upper tetrachord followed by a half-step descent through the lower tetrachord — open, expressive, often heard in Maqam-style melodies.
- What chords belong to the C Arabian scale?
- The diatonic chords of C Arabian are C, D°, E, Fm, G♭+, A♭+, B♭.
- Which genres use C Arabian?
- Arabian shows up in Maqam-style melodies, Egyptian and Levantine pop, and Western film scoring after a sense of place. The half-steps in the upper tetrachord are its signature.
- How do I practise the C Arabian scale?
- Treat the half-steps in the upper tetrachord (♭5–♭6 and ♭6–♭7) as ornamental targets rather than passing notes — slow trills and slides between them sell the Arabian sound.