Maqam (Arabic) · Calm · contemplative
Kurd Scale
Maqam Kurd matches the Western Phrygian mode note for note — no microtones — giving it a calm, contemplative, slightly somber character that is widely used in both Arabic and Western contexts.
Open the interactive Kurd scale →On the piano keyboard
Kurd scale shown on C
Structure of Maqam Kurd 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 | Eb | b3 | كوبيز |
| 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.
A Phrygian-type tetrachord with no microtones — calm, contemplative and accessible.
Reinforces the somber and introspective character of the maqam.
Kurd scale on every key — keyboard diagrams
C
Db
D
Eb
E
F
F#
G
Ab
A
Bb
B
Kurd scale in every key
| Key | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | C | Db | Eb | F | G | Ab | Bb |
| Db | Db | D | E | Gb | Ab | A | B |
| D | D | Eb | F | G | A | Bb | C |
| Eb | Eb | E | Gb | Ab | Bb | B | Db |
| E | E | F | G | A | B | C | D |
| F | F | Gb | Ab | Bb | C | Db | Eb |
| F# | F# | G | A | B | C# | D | E |
| G | G | Ab | Bb | C | D | Eb | F |
| Ab | Ab | A | B | Db | Eb | E | Gb |
| A | A | Bb | C | D | E | F | G |
| Bb | Bb | B | Db | Eb | F | Gb | Ab |
| B | B | C | D | E | F# | G | A |
Emotional character & uses
Kurd is calm, introspective and slightly somber. Because it has no microtones, it is the most accessible maqam for Western-trained musicians — yet it still carries a distinctly Eastern mood through its characteristic flat second degree.
- Maqam laments and elegies
- Sufi poetry settings
- Instrumental improvisations
- Contemporary cross-cultural compositions
Variations & related maqams
Kurd transposed to start on G (Nawa) — widely used in Turkish and Syrian music.
A Kurd-related maqam that introduces Sikah microtones, used for deeply emotional pieces.