D Persian Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Open C tuning — fretboard diagram
D Persian in Open C — Notes and Intervals
The D Persian scale is an exotic and highly symmetrical scale that evokes an authentic Middle Eastern atmosphere. On Guitar, it contains the notes D, Eb, F#, G, Ab, Bb, C#. 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: D, Eb, F#, G, Ab, Bb, C#
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
Tuning: Open C (C-G-C-G-C-E)
About Open C Tuning
Open C tuning (C-G-C-G-C-E) produces a C major chord when strummed open, with an enormous bass depth from the low C string (two whole steps below standard E). The tuning spans a vast tonal range that gives compositions an almost orchestral scope, making it a favorite for both delicate fingerstyle and crushing heavy music.
John Butler's 'Ocean' — one of the most famous modern fingerstyle compositions — is performed in Open C, showcasing the tuning's incredible dynamic range from thundering bass to shimmering harmonics. Devin Townsend uses Open C extensively across his catalog for its massive, wall-of-sound potential. Jimmy Page used it on Led Zeppelin's 'Friends' from Led Zeppelin III. Soundgarden also explored Open C. The three C strings and two G strings create powerful octave resonances that make even simple chord shapes sound huge.
Notable artists: John Butler, Devin Townsend, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Soundgarden, William Ackerman
Best for: Cinematic fingerstyle compositions, progressive metal walls of sound, post-rock textures, and any music that needs enormous tonal range from deep bass to bright treble
Musical Character
Dense with semitones and wide intervals that create a winding, serpentine melodic path. Its high symmetry gives it a meditative, 'orbiting' quality.
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- D Persian in Standard Tuning
- D Persian in Drop D
- D Persian in DADGAD
- D Persian in Open G
- D Persian in Baritone (B Standard)
- D Persian in 7-string
- D Persian in 8-string
- D Persian in Drop C
- D Persian in Drop B
- D Persian in Open D
- D Persian in Half Step Down
- D Persian in Open E
- D Persian in Open A
- D Persian in Double Drop D