STRINGSCALES

B persian Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F, G, A#, B, C, D#, E at frets 0, 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12

A string: A#, B, C, D#, E, F, G at frets 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10

D string: D#, E, F, G, A#, B, C at frets 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10

G string: G, A#, B, C, D#, E, F, G at frets 0, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12

B string: B, C, D#, E, F, G, A#, B at frets 0, 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12

High E string: E, F, G, A#, B, C, D#, E at frets 0, 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12

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B 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

Bmaj♭5
C

bII

Cmaj
D♯

III

D♯sus2
E

iv

Em
F

bV

Fsus4
G

bVI+

Gaug
A♯

VII

C7no5/A♯

Same notes, different mode

B 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.

E todi raga

persian in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Three half-step pairs and no perfect 5th: phrase B persian over a root drone, resolving bII (C) to root and VII to root from both sides.
  • The b5 (F) 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 (C) and root, slide III to 4th (E), and let notes decay into the drone.

How to play B persian on guitar

Open B is the tonic and both open E strings give the perfect fourth, so a drone under fretted lines is easy to hold. Four open strings sit in the scale, meaning open-position voicings stay available. Lowest root is fret 7 on the low E string, which puts box one in the middle of the neck and the shift at fret 11. Em is the iv chord. A capo at fret 2 converts A fingerings, and the signature carries two sharps.

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