D♯ Persian scale

The D♯ Persian scale is a 7-note persian scale built on the root D♯. Its notes are D♯, E, F𝄪, G♯, A, B and C𝄪. Two augmented seconds and a flat second — distinctly Middle-Eastern, dramatic and ornamented. This page covers the formula, fingerings, diatonic chords and common progressions that make D♯ Persian a great tool for improvising and composing.

Short answer

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
Tonic
D♯

D♯ Persian on the piano

Show:
Piano keyboard highlighting the D♯ Persian scale notesC𝄪EF𝄪ABC𝄪EF𝄪ABD♯G♯D♯G♯D♯ Persian - D♯ · E · F𝄪 · G♯ · A · B · C𝄪

D♯ Persian on the guitar

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Position:
Guitar fretboard highlighting the D♯ Persian scale noteseBGDAEEF𝄪G♯ABC𝄪D♯EBC𝄪D♯EF𝄪G♯ABF𝄪G♯ABC𝄪D♯EF𝄪C𝄪D♯EF𝄪G♯ABC𝄪ABC𝄪D♯EF𝄪G♯AEF𝄪G♯ABC𝄪D♯ED♯ Persian - fr 012

D♯ Persian on the staff

Hear the D♯ Persian scale

D♯ Persian
D♯ · E · F𝄪 · G♯ · A · B · C𝄪
D♯EF𝄪G♯ABC𝄪

Improvisation drone

Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.

D♯ Persian
D♯

Notes of the D♯ Persian scale

DegreeIntervalSemitonesNoteHear
11P0D♯(D#)
22m1E
33M4F𝄪(F##)
44P5G♯(G#)
55d6A
66m8B
77M11C𝄪(C##)

Diatonic chords of D♯ Persian

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 D♯ Persian scale

The diatonic chords of D♯ Persian are: I = D♯, II = E, III = F𝄪, iv = G♯m, V = A, VI+ = B+, VII = C𝄪. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in D♯ Persian. Click any chord below to open its full 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 (3 to ♭5 wait — ♭2 to 3, and ♭6 to 7) as expressive ornaments rather than stepwise notes. Slow chromatic ornamentation around them sells the Persian sound.

Where you will hear D♯ Persian

D♯ Persian appears throughout persian shows up in persian classical music and any western composition reaching for a middle-eastern flavour. two augmented seconds make it instantly recognisable. Listening to music in this scale and transcribing short phrases is the fastest way to absorb its sound.

Formula & step pattern

Formula
1P · 2m · 3M · 4P · 5d · 6m · 7M
Step pattern
H - W+H - H - H - W - W+H - H

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.

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♯, E, F𝄪, G♯m, A, B+, C𝄪.
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 I practise the D♯ Persian scale?
Lean into the two augmented seconds (3 to ♭5 wait — ♭2 to 3, and ♭6 to 7) as expressive ornaments rather than stepwise notes. Slow chromatic ornamentation around them sells the Persian sound.