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♭–C♯GmA♭–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 five black keys (E♭, F♯, A♭, B♭ and C♯) and two white.
D · E♭ · F♯ · G · A♭ · B♭ · C♯
Try D Persian on the virtual piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
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 = Gm, 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♯, Gm, 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 five black keys (E♭, F♯, A♭, B♭ and C♯) and two white.
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.