STRINGSCALES

B♭ persian Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: Fb, Gb, A, Bb, Cb, D, Eb, Fb at frets 0, 2, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12

A string: A, Bb, Cb, D, Eb, Fb, Gb, A at frets 0, 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12

D string: D, Eb, Fb, Gb, A, Bb, Cb, D at frets 0, 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 12

G string: A, Bb, Cb, D, Eb, Fb, Gb at frets 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11

B string: Cb, D, Eb, Fb, Gb, A, Bb, Cb at frets 0, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12

High E string: Fb, Gb, A, Bb, Cb, D, Eb, Fb at frets 0, 2, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12

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Bb persian

The persian scale is the double harmonic major scale with a flattened 5th: root, flat 2nd, major 3rd, 4th, flat 5th, flat 6th, major 7th. Three half-step pairs and no perfect 5th make it one of the most tension-saturated named scales. Over a drone it produces an unmistakably Middle Eastern lament; elsewhere use it in small doses.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

B♭

I

B♭majb5
C♭

bII

C♭maj
D

III

Dsus2
E♭

iv

E♭m
F♭

bV

F♭sus4
G♭

bVI+

G♭aug
A

VII

C♭7no5/A

Same notes, different mode

Bb persian uses the same notes as the scales below. Start from a different note and you get a new mode built on the very same note set.

Eb todi raga

persian in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Three half-step pairs and no perfect 5th: phrase Bb persian over a root drone, resolving bII (B) to root and VII to root from both sides.
  • The b5 (E) stands where the anchor should be; approach it from the major 3rd (D) below to keep lines singable.
  • Use it in small doses over a metal or cinematic pedal tone; a single ascending run is often more effective than a full solo.
  • Ornament like an oud player: trill between bII (B) and root, slide III to 4th (Eb), and let notes decay into the drone.

How to play B♭ persian on guitar

Fret 1 on the A string is the root nearest the nut, so an a-shape barre works down in first position. Five open strings are in the scale, none of them the root or fifth, which means they add tension rather than settle it. Lowest root is fret 6 on the low E, so box one there ends at fret 10. Ebm covers the iv. Five flats on the page, and a capo at fret 1 puts A fingerings in this key.

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