G♯ Persian scale

The G♯ Persian scale is a 7-note persian scale built on the root G♯. Its notes are G♯, A, B♯, C♯, D, E and F𝄪. Two augmented seconds and a flat second — distinctly Middle-Eastern, dramatic and ornamented. This page covers the formula, fingerings, diatonic chords and common progressions that make G♯ Persian a great tool for improvising and composing.

Short answer

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
Tonic
G♯

G♯ Persian on the piano

Show:
Piano keyboard highlighting the G♯ Persian scale notesB♯DEF𝄪AB♯DEF𝄪AC♯G♯C♯G♯G♯ Persian - G♯ · A · B♯ · C♯ · D · E · F𝄪

G♯ Persian on the guitar

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Position:
Guitar fretboard highlighting the G♯ Persian scale noteseBGDAEEF𝄪G♯AB♯C♯DEB♯C♯DEF𝄪G♯AF𝄪G♯AB♯C♯DEF𝄪DEF𝄪G♯AB♯C♯DAB♯C♯DEF𝄪G♯AEF𝄪G♯AB♯C♯DEG♯ Persian - fr 012

G♯ Persian on the staff

Hear the G♯ Persian scale

G♯ Persian
G♯ · A · B♯ · C♯ · D · E · F𝄪
G♯AB♯C♯DEF𝄪

Improvisation drone

Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.

G♯ Persian
G♯

Notes of the G♯ Persian scale

DegreeIntervalSemitonesNoteHear
11P0G♯(G#)
22m1A
33M4B♯(B#)
44P5C♯(C#)
55d6D
66m8E
77M11F𝄪(F##)

Diatonic chords of G♯ Persian

These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.

How to use the G♯ Persian scale

The diatonic chords of G♯ Persian are: I = G♯, II = A, III = B♯, 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♯ Persian. Click any chord below to open its full 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 (3 to ♭5 wait — ♭2 to 3, and ♭6 to 7) as expressive ornaments rather than stepwise notes. Slow chromatic ornamentation around them sells the Persian sound.

Where you will hear G♯ Persian

G♯ Persian appears throughout persian shows up in persian classical music and any western composition reaching for a middle-eastern flavour. two augmented seconds make it instantly recognisable. Listening to music in this scale and transcribing short phrases is the fastest way to absorb its sound.

Formula & step pattern

Formula
1P · 2m · 3M · 4P · 5d · 6m · 7M
Step pattern
H - W+H - H - H - W - W+H - H

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.

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♯, A, B♯, C♯m, D, E+, F𝄪.
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 I practise the G♯ Persian scale?
Lean into the two augmented seconds (3 to ♭5 wait — ♭2 to 3, and ♭6 to 7) as expressive ornaments rather than stepwise notes. Slow chromatic ornamentation around them sells the Persian sound.