G Persian Ukulele Scale
Ukulele scale — fretboard diagramAdvanced
What chords fit over G Persian?
Open G Persian HarmonizerG Persian Scale — Notes and Intervals
The G Persian scale is an exotic and highly symmetrical scale that evokes an authentic Middle Eastern atmosphere. On Ukulele, it contains the notes G, Ab, B, C, Db, Eb, F#. Its dense semitones and wide intervals create a winding, hypnotic melodic path that sounds both ancient and mystical. Commonly used in Middle Eastern, Film Scores, Metal, Ambient. Notable players include Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Buckethead. Use over sustained root notes or drones. Works best in modal, non-functional harmony where the exotic intervals can breathe.
Notes: G, Ab, B, C, Db, Eb, F#
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3M, 4P, 5d, 6m, 7M
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 5 b6 7
Formula: H-WH-H-H-W-WH-H
Number of notes: 7
Musical Character
Dense with semitones and wide intervals that create a winding, serpentine melodic path. Its high symmetry gives it a meditative, 'orbiting' quality.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Middle Eastern, Film Scores, Metal, Ambient
Notable players: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Buckethead
How to Use the G Persian Scale
Use over sustained root notes or drones. Works best in modal, non-functional harmony where the exotic intervals can breathe.
Origin & Background
Rooted in the maqam traditions of Persian classical music. Used for centuries in Iranian dastgah modal system.
How to Play G Persian on Ukulele
On ukulele, find G on the open strings or work through the scale within a four-fret span. You may need to shift positions once to cover all 7 notes. Practice each position separately before linking them together.
The G Persian scale contains both sharps and flats (1 sharp, 3 flats), which is common in altered and exotic scales. This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the G Persian scale ascending and descending at 100 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (G-B, Ab-C) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
Exotic scales like the Persian often work best as a melodic layer over a single root drone on G. Let the unique intervals speak for themselves without frequent chord changes. This scale is especially effective in middle eastern contexts.
Ukulele Tips
The compact fretboard of the ukulele makes the G Persian scale easy to visualize in a single position. Use this to your advantage by memorizing the scale shape relative to chord shapes you already know. Aim for a mystical quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
The G Persian scale contains 7 notes (G, Ab, B, C, Db, Eb, F#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Ukulele with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for G Persian
The G Persian scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 7-note scale, it also lends itself to 3-notes-per-string (3NPS) patterns that facilitate legato playing and diagonal shifting. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore G Persian Further
- Harmonize the G Persian scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- G Persian on Guitar
- G Persian on Bass
- G Persian on Piano