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)GA♯–C–E♯BmC–E♯–GD+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 two black keys (F♯ and A♯) and five white. E♯ is the white key you'd normally call F.
F♯ · G · A♯ · B · C · D · E♯
Play F♯ Persian on the online 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 = Bm, 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♯, Bm, 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 two black keys (F♯ and A♯) and five white. E♯ is the white key you'd normally call F.
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.