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–D𝄪A♯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 three black keys (F♯, A♯ and C♯) and four white. E♯, G𝄪 and D𝄪 are the white keys you'd normally call F, A and E.
E♯ · F♯ · G𝄪 · A♯ · B · C♯ · D𝄪
Try E♯ Persian on the virtual 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 = 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 three black keys (F♯, A♯ and C♯) and four white. E♯, G𝄪 and D𝄪 are the white keys you'd normally call F, A and E.
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.