E♯ Arabian at a glance
Despite the name, the Arabian scale (major Locrian) isn't an Arabic maqam: the label comes from jazz theory books. Its 1, 3, ♭5 and ♭7 spell a dominant seventh flat five, which is the chord jazz players use it over. Its signature is the flat fifth, reached by a half step from the fourth and followed by whole steps up to the octave. 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 | W W H H W W W |
| Chords in the key | E♯(♭5)F𝄪°G𝄪–B–D♯A♯mB+C♯+D♯ |
Chords in the E♯ Arabian scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
E♯ Arabian on the piano
Improvisation drone · E♯
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano E♯ Arabian uses three black keys (A♯, C♯ and D♯) and four white. E♯, F𝄪 and G𝄪 are the white keys you'd normally call F, G and A.
E♯ · F𝄪 · G𝄪 · A♯ · B · C♯ · D♯
Try E♯ Arabian on the virtual piano
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E♯ Arabian on the guitar
E♯ Arabian - fr 0–12
E♯ Arabian on the staff
Notes of the E♯ Arabian scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E♯ | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | F𝄪 | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | G𝄪 | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | A♯ | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | B | diminished 5th5d | 6 | |
| 6 | C♯ | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | D♯ | minor 7th7m | 10 |
What makes E♯ Arabian different
The Arabian scale as used here (1, 2, 3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7) is also called major Locrian: a major lower half under Locrian's upper half. It differs from the Hindu scale only in the fifth, which is lowered. Six of its seven notes form a whole-tone scale and the fourth is the only note outside it, so it sounds like whole-tone with one foothold. Its only half steps are 3 to 4 and 4 to ♭5, both packed into the middle of the scale. On E♯, E♯ Arabian has B where E♯ Hindu has B♯; every other note is shared with E♯ Hindu (E♯ F𝄪 G𝄪 A♯ B♯ C♯ D♯).
How to use the E♯ Arabian scale
The diatonic chords of E♯ Arabian are: I♭5 = E♯(♭5), ii° = F𝄪°, III = G𝄪–B–D♯, iv = A♯m, V+ = B+, VI+ = C♯+, VII = D♯. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in E♯ Arabian. Each one in the chord table on this page opens its own diagram and progressions.
Despite the name, the Arabian scale (major Locrian) isn't an Arabic maqam: the label comes from jazz theory books. Its 1, 3, ♭5 and ♭7 spell a dominant seventh flat five, which is the chord jazz players use it over. Its signature is the flat fifth, reached by a half step from the fourth and followed by whole steps up to the octave.
Practice tips
Treat the half steps in the middle of the scale (3–4 and 4–♭5) as ornamental targets rather than passing notes. Slow trills and slides there sell the Arabian sound, while the whole steps above ♭5 carry the line up to the octave.
Formula & step pattern
The E♯ Arabian scale follows intervals 1, 2, 3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7, a major lower tetrachord followed by whole steps from the flat fifth to the octave. Step pattern: W - W - H - H - W - W - W. 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♯ Arabian
Start with the music described above: listen for E♯ Arabian 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♯ Arabian scale?
The E♯ Arabian scale contains E♯, F𝄪, G𝄪, A♯, B, C♯ and D♯.
What is the formula for the E♯ Arabian scale?
E♯ Arabian follows intervals 1, 2, 3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7, a major lower tetrachord followed by whole steps from the flat fifth to the octave.
Is E♯ Arabian a major or minor scale?
E♯ Arabian is a arabian scale. Major lower tetrachord, then a flat fifth and whole steps up to the octave: major Locrian, a jazz-book name rather than an Arabic maqam.
What chords belong to the E♯ Arabian scale?
The diatonic chords of E♯ Arabian are E♯(♭5), F𝄪°, G𝄪–B–D♯, A♯m, B+, C♯+, D♯.
Which genres use E♯ Arabian?
Despite the name, the Arabian scale (major Locrian) isn't an Arabic maqam: the label comes from jazz theory books. Its 1, 3, ♭5 and ♭7 spell a dominant seventh flat five, which is the chord jazz players use it over. Its signature is the flat fifth, reached by a half step from the fourth and followed by whole steps up to the octave.
How do you play the E♯ Arabian scale on the piano?
On the piano E♯ Arabian uses three black keys (A♯, C♯ and D♯) and four white. E♯, F𝄪 and G𝄪 are the white keys you'd normally call F, G and A.
What is the difference between E♯ Arabian and E♯ Hindu?
On E♯, E♯ Arabian has B where E♯ Hindu has B♯; every other note is shared with E♯ Hindu (E♯ F𝄪 G𝄪 A♯ B♯ C♯ D♯).
How do I practise the E♯ Arabian scale?
Treat the half steps in the middle of the scale (3–4 and 4–♭5) as ornamental targets rather than passing notes. Slow trills and slides there sell the Arabian sound, while the whole steps above ♭5 carry the line up to the octave.