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