The Persian scale also known as Double Harmonic Major ♭5 is a musical scale occasionally found in guitar scale books, along with other scales inspired by Middle Eastern music. It 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. This is also the Locrian mode with a major third and major seventh degree.

In Hindustani Classical Music, this corresponds to the raga Lalit.

The sequence of steps is as follows:Sternal, Mark John (2005). Guitar Total Scales Techniques and Applications, p.156. . H, +, H, H, W, +, H (W = Whole step - H = Half step - + = augmented second)

Beginning on C: C, D♭, E, F, G♭, A♭, B, C

Modes This scale contains the following modes: {| class="wikitable" |- ! align="center" | Mode ! align="center" | Name of scale ! colspan="8" align="center" | Degrees |- | align="center" | 1 | Persian Scale (or Double Harmonic Major ♭5) || 1 || 2 || 3 || 4 || 5 || 6 || 7 || 8 |- | align="center" | 2 | Ionian 2 6 || 1 || 2 || 3 || 4 || 5 || 6 || 7 || 8 |- | align="center" | 3 | Ultraphrygian 3 || 1 || 2 || 3 || 4 || 5 || 6 || 7 || 8 |- | align="center" | 4 | Hungarian/Gypsy Minor 2, Neapolitan Minor 4, Todi Thaat || 1 || 2 || 3 || 4 || 5 || 6 || 7 || 8 |- | align="center" | 5 | Lydian 3 6 || 1 || 2 || 3 || 4 || 5 || 6 || 7 || 8 |- | align="center" | 6 | Mixolydian Augmented 2 || 1 || 2 || 3 || 4 || 5 || 6 || 7 || 8 |- | align="center" | 7 | Chromatic Hypophrygian Inverse || 1 || 2 || 3|| 4 || 5 || 6 || 7 || 8

See also It is most closely related to the Phrygian dominant scale as their bottom tetrachords are identical.Stetina, Troy (1999). The Ultimate Scale Book, p.61. . It can also be obtained by flattening the fifth degree of the double harmonic scale.

Sources

Further reading Hewitt, Michael. Musical Scales of the World. The Note Tree. 2013. .

External links Persian Scale demonstrated for a Guitar The Persian Scale arranged for guitar in 3 note per string and 3 octave shapes