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