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)AB♯–D–F𝄪C♯mD–F𝄪–AE+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 C♯) and five white. B♯ and F𝄪 are the white keys you'd normally call C and G.
G♯ · A · B♯ · C♯ · D · E · F𝄪
Try G♯ Persian on the virtual 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 C♯) and five white. B♯ and F𝄪 are the white keys you'd normally call C and G.
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.