Exploring Persian Music Scales through Interactive Visualizations

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Diatonic Circle

At the core of the system lies the Diatonic scale circle, which serves as the foundational framework for visualizing intervals. This circle is designed to be interactively rotated, allowing users to explore key signatures and tonal relationships within the Western diatonic scale.

All Persian Scales Circle

Encircling the Diatonic circle, the All Persian Scales circle represents the tonal structure of the All Persian Scales scale, one of the most fundamental modes in Persian music theory. The All Persian Scales circle's angular segments are carefully aligned to reflect the microtonal intervals that characterize the scale, offering a clear visual distinction from the equal-tempered diatonic framework.

How It Works

The system enables dynamic interaction between the Diatonic and All Persian Scales circles. Rotating the Diatonic circle—either by clicking or dragging—causes the All Persian Scales circle to adjust in real time. Starting from the 12 o’clock position, the All Persian Scales circle aligns to display the root note of the All Persian Scales scale, along with the corresponding intervals that define its unique modal structure. This synchronization highlights the modal relationships between the two systems, offering an intuitive platform for both practical exploration and theoretical analysis. The interactive visualization not only enhances the understanding of Persian music's modal hierarchy but also facilitates comparative studies with Western tonal systems.

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