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B hungarian major scale on bass guitar
B Hungarian major uses B, D, D♯, F, F♯, G♯, A. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 2 for a low position.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the B hungarian major scale on bass?
B hungarian major in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F on the E string at fret 1 up to B on the G string at fret 4. The root falls on the A string at fret 2 and the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 2, 4 | F, F♯, G♯ |
| 3 (A) | 2 | B |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | D♯, F, F♯ |
| 1 (G) | 1, 2, 4 | G♯, A, B |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
B hungarian major in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 10 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the E string at fret 4 up to D on the G string at fret 7. The root falls on the E string at fret 7 and the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
| 3 (A) | 5, 6 | D, D♯ |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (G) | 4, 7 | B, D |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
B hungarian major in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 9 notes across 4 strings, from B on the E string at fret 7 up to F on the G string at fret 10. The root falls on the E string at fret 7 and the D string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 10 | B, D |
| 3 (A) | 8, 9 | F, F♯ |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 1 (G) | 7, 8, 10 | D, D♯, F |
Box 4 · frets 10–13
B hungarian major in box 4 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 10 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to G♯ on the G string at fret 13. No root falls inside this box; it sits between two of them.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 11, 13 | D, D♯, F |
| 3 (A) | 11, 12 | G♯, A |
| 2 (D) | 12, 13 | D, D♯ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 11, 13 | F, F♯, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
B Hungarian major lowers the second degree of B acoustic to D. Compare it to B acoustic to hear the half-step shift. Intervals run 1, ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, ♭7, creating a major-minor hybrid. The ♭3 and 3 sit side by side, giving the scale its characteristic bite.
When to use it
Use it over B major or B minor chords when you want a sharp, exotic color. The ♭5 adds tension over the tonic, and the ♭7 suits dominant sounds. Try it in fusion or progressive rock. See B major and B minor.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It covers frets 1–4 and keeps the root on string 3, fret 2, making it easy to anchor phrases.
Common questions
Which notes make B Hungarian major different from B major?
B Hungarian major has a ♭3 and ♭5 instead of the natural 3 and perfect 5. The ♭3 is D and the ♭5 is F. These alterations give the scale its dark, exotic character.
Can I play B Hungarian major over a B minor chord?
Yes, the ♭3 fits the minor quality, but the major 3 adds dissonance. Use it briefly for color. The ♭5 also clashes with the perfect fifth in the chord.
What chords work with B Hungarian major?
The tonic chord can be B major or B minor. The scale also fits over D major, D minor, and D♯ diminished. The ♭5 degree suggests a 7♭5 chord on F.