Maqam (Arabic) · Exotic · dramatic
Hijaz Scale
Hijaz is the sound most people picture when they imagine “Middle Eastern” music. The dramatic augmented 2nd between its flat-2nd and major-3rd creates an exotic, evocative tension found across Arabic, Turkish, Andalusian and even flamenco music. It contains no quarter-tones, so it sits comfortably on a guitar or piano.
Open the interactive Hijaz scale →On the piano keyboard
Hijaz scale shown on C
Structure of Maqam Hijaz on C
Shown on root C — the same interval pattern applies in every key.
| Degree | Note | Interval | Arabic solfège |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | 1 | راست |
| 2 | Db | b2 | ري بيمول |
| 3 | E | 3 | بوسليك |
| 4 | F | 4 | جهاركاه |
| 5 | G | 5 | نوى |
| 6 | Ab | b6 | نوا شر |
| 7 | Bb | b7 | أوج |
| 8 | C | 8 | راست (octave) |
Ajnas — the building blocks
Each maqam is built from two overlapping tetrachords (ajnas). The lower jins defines the maqam's character; the upper jins provides resolution. Understanding ajnas reveals how maqams relate and modulate between each other.
The dramatic core of the maqam. The augmented second between E♭ and F# is the interval most associated with Middle Eastern music worldwide.
A Rast-type upper tetrachord that softens and resolves the dramatic tension of the lower Hijaz genus.
Hijaz scale on every key — keyboard diagrams
C
Db
D
Eb
E
F
F#
G
Ab
A
Bb
B
Hijaz scale in every key
| Key | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | C | Db | E | F | G | Ab | Bb |
| Db | Db | D | F | Gb | Ab | A | B |
| D | D | Eb | F# | G | A | Bb | C |
| Eb | Eb | E | G | Ab | Bb | B | Db |
| E | E | F | G# | A | B | C | D |
| F | F | Gb | A | Bb | C | Db | Eb |
| F# | F# | G | A# | B | C# | D | E |
| G | G | Ab | B | C | D | Eb | F |
| Ab | Ab | A | C | Db | Eb | E | Gb |
| A | A | Bb | C# | D | E | F | G |
| Bb | Bb | B | D | Eb | F | Gb | Ab |
| B | B | C | D# | E | F# | G | A |
Emotional character & uses
Hijaz carries drama, spirituality and exoticism. Its augmented second is instantly evocative — simultaneously tense and beautiful. It transcends Arabic music, appearing in Turkish makam, flamenco, Jewish cantorial music and Balkan folk traditions, making it perhaps the most globally recognised maqam.
- Devotional and spiritual music
- Adhan and religious ceremonies
- Sufi chanting (dhikr and sama')
- Dramatic film and theatrical scores
Variations & related maqams
Raises the sixth degree from A♭ to A natural — brighter and less melancholic than standard Hijaz.
Lowers the seventh degree, making the upper tetrachord resemble Nahawand.
A Hijaz variant with an altered seventh, extensively used in Turkish classical makam.