G♯ 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 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 | W W H H W W W |
| Chords in the key | G♯(♭5)A♯°B♯–D–F♯C♯mD+E+F♯ |
Chords in the G♯ Arabian scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
G♯ Arabian on the piano
Improvisation drone · G♯
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano G♯ Arabian uses four black keys (G♯, A♯, C♯ and F♯) and three white. B♯ is the white key you'd normally call C.
G♯ · A♯ · B♯ · C♯ · D · E · F♯
Try G♯ Arabian on the virtual piano
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G♯ Arabian on the guitar
G♯ Arabian - fr 0–12
G♯ Arabian on the staff
Notes of the G♯ Arabian scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G♯ | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | A♯ | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | B♯ | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | C♯ | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | D | diminished 5th5d | 6 | |
| 6 | E | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | F♯ | minor 7th7m | 10 |
What makes G♯ 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 G♯, G♯ Arabian has D where G♯ Hindu has D♯; every other note is shared with G♯ Hindu (G♯ A♯ B♯ C♯ D♯ E F♯).
How to use the G♯ Arabian scale
The diatonic chords of G♯ Arabian are: I♭5 = G♯(♭5), ii° = A♯°, III = B♯–D–F♯, iv = C♯m, V+ = D+, VI+ = E+, VII = F♯. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in G♯ 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 G♯ 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 G♯ Arabian
Start with the music described above: listen for G♯ 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 G♯ Arabian scale?
The G♯ Arabian scale contains G♯, A♯, B♯, C♯, D, E and F♯.
What is the formula for the G♯ Arabian scale?
G♯ 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 G♯ Arabian a major or minor scale?
G♯ 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 G♯ Arabian scale?
The diatonic chords of G♯ Arabian are G♯(♭5), A♯°, B♯–D–F♯, C♯m, D+, E+, F♯.
Which genres use G♯ 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 G♯ Arabian scale on the piano?
On the piano G♯ Arabian uses four black keys (G♯, A♯, C♯ and F♯) and three white. B♯ is the white key you'd normally call C.
What is the difference between G♯ Arabian and G♯ Hindu?
On G♯, G♯ Arabian has D where G♯ Hindu has D♯; every other note is shared with G♯ Hindu (G♯ A♯ B♯ C♯ D♯ E F♯).
How do I practise the G♯ 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.