Middle Eastern Piano Scales

The step-and-a-half between the 6th and 7th degrees of the harmonic minor is the interval Western ears read as Middle Eastern, and it is a genuine feature of several maqamat, notably Nahawand and Hijaz-adjacent modes. A piano cannot play the quarter tones those traditions also use, so treat this as an approximation rather than the real thing.

12 scales carry this tag, across one scale type: harmonic minor. Each one has its notes spelled for that key, a fingering worked out for that key, and a piano you can play it on.

Harmonic Minor Scales

A dramatic minor scale with a raised 7th — common in classical and Middle Eastern music.

Other tags

The same 120 scales, sorted a different way.

Back to the full scale library for all 120 scales grouped by type.