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)FG♯–B♭–D♯AmB♭–D♯–FC+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 three black keys (G♯, B♭ and D♯) and four white.
E · F · G♯ · A · B♭ · C · D♯
Play E Persian on the online piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
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 = Am, 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♯, Am, 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 three black keys (G♯, B♭ and D♯) and four white.
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.