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