Maqam (Arabic) · Sorrowful · longing

Saba Scale

Maqam Saba is one of the most distinctive and sorrowful maqamat, instantly recognisable from its lowered 4th degree. It carries a deep sense of longing and is a staple of laments and emotional vocal improvisation.

Open the interactive Saba scale →

On the piano keyboard

Saba scale shown on C

RootScale toneQuarter-tone

Saba scale on every key — keyboard diagrams

Saba scale in every key

Key	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th
C	C	D‡	Eb	E	G	Ab	Bb
Db	Db	Eb‡	E	F	Ab	A	B
D	D	E‡	F	Gb	A	Bb	C
Eb	Eb	F‡	Gb	G	Bb	B	Db
E	E	F#‡	G	Ab	B	C	D
F	F	G‡	Ab	A	C	Db	Eb
F#	F#	G#‡	A	Bb	C#	D	E
G	G	A‡	Bb	B	D	Eb	F
Ab	Ab	Bb‡	B	C	Eb	E	Gb
A	A	B‡	C	Db	E	F	G
Bb	Bb	C‡	Db	D	F	Gb	Ab
B	B	C#‡	D	Eb	F#	G	A

Popular songs in this scale

A curated list of well-known songs built on the Saba is coming soon.

Coming soon

‡ marks a quarter-flat (microtonal) note — a pitch between two piano keys that is characteristic of Arabic Maqam scales. Hear it in the interactive app.

On the piano keyboard

Saba scale on every key — keyboard diagrams

Saba scale in every key

Popular songs in this scale

More scales