G♭ 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 G♭, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where G♭ is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | G♭ A𝄫 B♭ C♭ D𝄫 E𝄫 F |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2m · 3M · 4P · 5d · 6m · 7M |
| Step pattern | H W+H H H W W+H H |
| Chords in the key | G♭(♭5)A𝄫B♭–D𝄫–FC♭mD𝄫–F–A𝄫E𝄫+F–A𝄫–C♭ |
Chords in the G♭ Persian scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
G♭ Persian on the piano
Improvisation drone · G♭
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano G♭ Persian uses two black keys (G♭ and B♭) and five white. A𝄫, C♭, D𝄫 and E𝄫 are the white keys you'd normally call G, B, C and D.
G♭ · A𝄫 · B♭ · C♭ · D𝄫 · E𝄫 · F
Play G♭ Persian on the online piano
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G♭ Persian on the guitar
G♭ Persian - fr 0–12
G♭ Persian on the staff
Notes of the G♭ Persian scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G♭ | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | A𝄫 | minor 2nd2m | 1 | |
| 3 | B♭ | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | C♭ | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | D𝄫 | diminished 5th5d | 6 | |
| 6 | E𝄫 | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | F | major 7th7M | 11 |
What makes G♭ 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 G♭, G♭ Persian has D𝄫 where G♭ Gypsy Major has D♭; every other note is shared with G♭ Gypsy Major (G♭ A𝄫 B♭ C♭ D♭ E𝄫 F).
How to use the G♭ Persian scale
The diatonic chords of G♭ Persian are: I♭5 = G♭(♭5), II = A𝄫, III = B♭–D𝄫–F, iv = C♭m, V = D𝄫–F–A𝄫, VI+ = E𝄫+, VII = F–A𝄫–C♭. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in G♭ 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 G♭ 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 G♭ Persian
Start with the music described above: listen for G♭ 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 G♭ Persian scale?
The G♭ Persian scale contains G♭, A𝄫, B♭, C♭, D𝄫, E𝄫 and F.
What is the formula for the G♭ Persian scale?
G♭ Persian follows two augmented seconds and a flat second produce a distinctly Middle-Eastern colour (1, ♭2, 3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, 7).
Is G♭ Persian a major or minor scale?
G♭ Persian is a persian scale. Two augmented seconds and a flat second — distinctly Middle-Eastern, dramatic and ornamented.
What chords belong to the G♭ Persian scale?
The diatonic chords of G♭ Persian are G♭(♭5), A𝄫, B♭–D𝄫–F, C♭m, D𝄫–F–A𝄫, E𝄫+, F–A𝄫–C♭.
Which genres use G♭ 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 G♭ Persian scale on the piano?
On the piano G♭ Persian uses two black keys (G♭ and B♭) and five white. A𝄫, C♭, D𝄫 and E𝄫 are the white keys you'd normally call G, B, C and D.
What is the difference between G♭ Persian and G♭ Gypsy Major?
On G♭, G♭ Persian has D𝄫 where G♭ Gypsy Major has D♭; every other note is shared with G♭ Gypsy Major (G♭ A𝄫 B♭ C♭ D♭ E𝄫 F).
How do I practise the G♭ 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.