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C hungarian major scale on bass guitar
C Hungarian major uses C, E♭, E, G♭, G, A, B♭. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 3 for a low position.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the C hungarian major scale on bass?
C hungarian major in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 11 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to B♭ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, G♭, G |
| 3 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
| 2 (D) | 1, 2 | E♭, E |
| 1 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
C hungarian major in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 10 notes across 4 strings, from G♭ on the E string at fret 2 up to C on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the A string at fret 3 and the G string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | G♭, G, A |
| 3 (A) | 3 | C |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, G♭, G |
| 1 (G) | 2, 3, 5 | A, B♭, C |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
C hungarian major in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 10 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to E♭ on the G string at fret 8. The root falls on the E string at fret 8 and the G string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 3 (A) | 6, 7 | E♭, E |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 5, 8 | C, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
C hungarian major in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 9 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to G♭ on the G string at fret 11. The root falls on the E string at fret 8 and the D string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 11 | C, E♭ |
| 3 (A) | 9, 10 | G♭, G |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 1 (G) | 8, 9, 11 | E♭, E, G♭ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
C hungarian major in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 10 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the E string at fret 11 up to A on the G string at fret 14. 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) | 11, 12, 14 | E♭, E, G♭ |
| 3 (A) | 12, 13 | A, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 13, 14 | E♭, E |
| 1 (G) | 11, 12, 14 | G♭, G, A |
Why it sounds like that
C Hungarian major lowers the second degree of C acoustic to E♭. Compare it to C 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 C major or C 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 C major and C minor.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It covers frets 0–3 and keeps the root on string 3, fret 3, making it easy to anchor phrases.
Common questions
Which notes make C Hungarian major different from C major?
C Hungarian major has a ♭3 and ♭5 instead of the natural 3 and perfect 5. The ♭3 is E♭ and the ♭5 is G♭. These alterations give the scale its dark, exotic character.
Can I play C Hungarian major over a C 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 C Hungarian major?
The tonic chord can be C major or C minor. The scale also fits over E♭ major, E♭ minor, and E diminished. The ♭5 degree suggests a 7♭5 chord on G♭.