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)DE♯–G–B♯F♯mG–B♯–DA+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 two black keys (C♯ and F♯) and five white. E♯ and B♯ are the white keys you'd normally call F and C.
C♯ · D · E♯ · F♯ · G · A · B♯
Try C♯ Persian on the virtual 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 = F♯m, 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♯, F♯m, 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 two black keys (C♯ and F♯) and five white. E♯ and B♯ are the white keys you'd normally call F and C.
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.