F 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 F, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where F is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | F G♭ A B♭ C♭ D♭ E |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2m · 3M · 4P · 5d · 6m · 7M |
| Step pattern | H W+H H H W W+H H |
| Chords in the key | F(♭5)G♭A–C♭–EB♭mC♭–E–G♭D♭+E–G♭–B♭ |
Chords in the F Persian scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
F Persian on the piano
Improvisation drone · F
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano F Persian uses three black keys (G♭, B♭ and D♭) and four white. C♭ is the white key you'd normally call B.
F · G♭ · A · B♭ · C♭ · D♭ · E
Try F Persian on the virtual piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
F Persian on the guitar
F Persian - fr 0–12
F Persian on the staff
Notes of the F Persian scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | F | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | G♭ | minor 2nd2m | 1 | |
| 3 | A | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | B♭ | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | C♭ | diminished 5th5d | 6 | |
| 6 | D♭ | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | E | major 7th7M | 11 |
What makes F 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 F, F Persian has C♭ where F Gypsy Major has C; every other note is shared with F Gypsy Major (F G♭ A B♭ C D♭ E).
How to use the F Persian scale
The diatonic chords of F Persian are: I♭5 = F(♭5), II = G♭, III = A–C♭–E, iv = B♭m, V = C♭–E–G♭, VI+ = D♭+, VII = E–G♭–B♭. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in F 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 F 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 F Persian
Start with the music described above: listen for F 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 F Persian scale?
The F Persian scale contains F, G♭, A, B♭, C♭, D♭ and E.
What is the formula for the F Persian scale?
F Persian follows two augmented seconds and a flat second produce a distinctly Middle-Eastern colour (1, ♭2, 3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, 7).
Is F Persian a major or minor scale?
F Persian is a persian scale. Two augmented seconds and a flat second — distinctly Middle-Eastern, dramatic and ornamented.
What chords belong to the F Persian scale?
The diatonic chords of F Persian are F(♭5), G♭, A–C♭–E, B♭m, C♭–E–G♭, D♭+, E–G♭–B♭.
Which genres use F 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 F Persian scale on the piano?
On the piano F Persian uses three black keys (G♭, B♭ and D♭) and four white. C♭ is the white key you'd normally call B.
What is the difference between F Persian and F Gypsy Major?
On F, F Persian has C♭ where F Gypsy Major has C; every other note is shared with F Gypsy Major (F G♭ A B♭ C D♭ E).
How do I practise the F 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.