F♯ 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 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 | W W H H W W W |
| Chords in the key | F♯(♭5)G♯°A♯–C–EBmC+D+E |
Chords in the F♯ Arabian scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
F♯ Arabian on the piano
Improvisation drone · F♯
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano F♯ Arabian uses three black keys (F♯, G♯ and A♯) and four white.
F♯ · G♯ · A♯ · B · C · D · E
Play F♯ Arabian on the online piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
F♯ Arabian on the guitar
F♯ Arabian - fr 0–12
F♯ Arabian on the staff
Notes of the F♯ Arabian scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | F♯ | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | G♯ | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | A♯ | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | B | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | C | diminished 5th5d | 6 | |
| 6 | D | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | E | minor 7th7m | 10 |
What makes F♯ 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 F♯, F♯ Arabian has C where F♯ Hindu has C♯; every other note is shared with F♯ Hindu (F♯ G♯ A♯ B C♯ D E).
How to use the F♯ Arabian scale
The diatonic chords of F♯ Arabian are: I♭5 = F♯(♭5), ii° = G♯°, III = A♯–C–E, iv = Bm, V+ = C+, VI+ = D+, VII = E. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in F♯ 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 F♯ 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 F♯ Arabian
Start with the music described above: listen for F♯ 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 F♯ Arabian scale?
The F♯ Arabian scale contains F♯, G♯, A♯, B, C, D and E.
What is the formula for the F♯ Arabian scale?
F♯ 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 F♯ Arabian a major or minor scale?
F♯ 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 F♯ Arabian scale?
The diatonic chords of F♯ Arabian are F♯(♭5), G♯°, A♯–C–E, Bm, C+, D+, E.
Which genres use F♯ 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 F♯ Arabian scale on the piano?
On the piano F♯ Arabian uses three black keys (F♯, G♯ and A♯) and four white.
What is the difference between F♯ Arabian and F♯ Hindu?
On F♯, F♯ Arabian has C where F♯ Hindu has C♯; every other note is shared with F♯ Hindu (F♯ G♯ A♯ B C♯ D E).
How do I practise the F♯ 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.