Persian Scale

The Persian scale is a musical scale frequently found in Persian Music, and to a lesser extent, Arab or non-Persian Middle Eastern Music. The Persian scale is characterized by the liberal use of half steps (4), augmented seconds (2), and frequent use of chromaticism. Compare this to the one augmented second of the harmonic minor or the use of only two half-steps in all diatonic scales.

The sequence of steps is as follows:

  • H WH H H W WH H
  • (W = Whole step - H = Half step)

Beginning on C:

  • C Db E F Gb Ab B

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    Oh! thou clear spirit of clear fire, whom on these seas I as Persian once did worship, till in the sacramental act so burned by thee, that to this hour I bear the scar; I now know thee, thou clear spirit, and I now know that thy right worship is defiance. To neither love nor reverence wilt thou be kind; and e’en for hate thou canst but kill; and all are killed. No fearless fool now fronts thee.
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    I own I never really warmed
    To the reformer or reformed.
    And yet conversion has its place
    Not halfway down the scale of grace.
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