STRINGSCALES

D persian Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: F#, G, Ab, Bb, C#, D, Eb at frets 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11

A string: Bb, C#, D, Eb, F#, G, Ab at frets 1, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11

D string: D, Eb, F#, G, Ab, Bb, C#, D at frets 0, 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12

G string: G, Ab, Bb, C#, D, Eb, F#, G at frets 0, 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12

B string: C#, D, Eb, F#, G, Ab, Bb at frets 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11

High E string: F#, G, Ab, Bb, C#, D, Eb at frets 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11

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D 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:

D

I

Dmaj♭5
E♭

bII

E♭maj
F♯

III

F♯sus2
G

iv

Gm
A♭

bV

A♭sus4
B♭

bVI+

B♭aug
C♯

VII

E♭7no5/C#

Same notes, different mode

D 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.

G todi raga

persian in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Three half-step pairs and no perfect 5th: phrase D persian over a root drone, resolving bII (Eb) to root and VII to root from both sides.
  • The b5 (Ab) stands where the anchor should be; approach it from the major 3rd (F#) 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 (Eb) and root, slide III to 4th (G), and let notes decay into the drone.

How to play D persian on guitar

Open D is the root, and open G sits a perfect fourth above it, so both ring under fretted lines as a real pedal. Roots repeat at fret 10 on both E strings and fret 5 on the A string. Nearest the nut is that open D string, which means first position needs no stretch. Box one from the low E root at fret 10 stops at fret 14, meaning the shift lands high. Bbaug covers the bVI+.

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