D♭ 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 D♭, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where D♭ is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | D♭ E𝄫 F G♭ A𝄫 B𝄫 C |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2m · 3M · 4P · 5d · 6m · 7M |
| Step pattern | H W+H H H W W+H H |
| Chords in the key | D♭(♭5)E𝄫F–A𝄫–CG♭mA𝄫–C–E𝄫B𝄫+C–E𝄫–G♭ |
Chords in the D♭ Persian scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
D♭ Persian on the piano
Improvisation drone · D♭
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano D♭ Persian uses two black keys (D♭ and G♭) and five white. E𝄫, A𝄫 and B𝄫 are the white keys you'd normally call D, G and A.
D♭ · E𝄫 · F · G♭ · A𝄫 · B𝄫 · C
Try D♭ Persian on the virtual piano
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D♭ Persian on the guitar
D♭ Persian - fr 0–12
D♭ Persian on the staff
Notes of the D♭ Persian scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D♭ | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | E𝄫 | minor 2nd2m | 1 | |
| 3 | F | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | G♭ | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | A𝄫 | diminished 5th5d | 6 | |
| 6 | B𝄫 | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | C | major 7th7M | 11 |
What makes D♭ 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 D♭, D♭ Persian has A𝄫 where D♭ Gypsy Major has A♭; every other note is shared with D♭ Gypsy Major (D♭ E𝄫 F G♭ A♭ B𝄫 C).
How to use the D♭ Persian scale
The diatonic chords of D♭ Persian are: I♭5 = D♭(♭5), II = E𝄫, III = F–A𝄫–C, iv = G♭m, V = A𝄫–C–E𝄫, VI+ = B𝄫+, VII = C–E𝄫–G♭. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in D♭ 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 D♭ 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 D♭ Persian
Start with the music described above: listen for D♭ 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 D♭ Persian scale?
The D♭ Persian scale contains D♭, E𝄫, F, G♭, A𝄫, B𝄫 and C.
What is the formula for the D♭ Persian scale?
D♭ Persian follows two augmented seconds and a flat second produce a distinctly Middle-Eastern colour (1, ♭2, 3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, 7).
Is D♭ Persian a major or minor scale?
D♭ Persian is a persian scale. Two augmented seconds and a flat second — distinctly Middle-Eastern, dramatic and ornamented.
What chords belong to the D♭ Persian scale?
The diatonic chords of D♭ Persian are D♭(♭5), E𝄫, F–A𝄫–C, G♭m, A𝄫–C–E𝄫, B𝄫+, C–E𝄫–G♭.
Which genres use D♭ 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 D♭ Persian scale on the piano?
On the piano D♭ Persian uses two black keys (D♭ and G♭) and five white. E𝄫, A𝄫 and B𝄫 are the white keys you'd normally call D, G and A.
What is the difference between D♭ Persian and D♭ Gypsy Major?
On D♭, D♭ Persian has A𝄫 where D♭ Gypsy Major has A♭; every other note is shared with D♭ Gypsy Major (D♭ E𝄫 F G♭ A♭ B𝄫 C).
How do I practise the D♭ 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.