Explore scales · Guitar
A♭ hungarian major scale on guitar
A♭ Hungarian major uses A♭, C♭, C, E♭♭, E♭, F, G♭. Its chromatic pairs make it a bold choice over A♭ major or A♭ minor.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the A♭ hungarian major scale on guitar?
A♭ hungarian major in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 16 notes across 6 strings, from F on the low E string at fret 1 up to A♭ on the high e string at fret 4. The root falls on the low E string at fret 4, the G string at fret 1 and the high e string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 2, 4 | F, G♭, A♭ |
| 5 (A) | 2, 3 | C♭, C |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 3 (G) | 1, 4 | A♭, C♭ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 3, 4 | C, E♭♭, E♭ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 2, 4 | F, G♭, A♭ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
A♭ hungarian major in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 14 notes across 6 strings, from A♭ on the low E string at fret 4 up to C♭ on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the low E string at fret 4, the D string at fret 6 and the high e string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 7 | A♭, C♭ |
| 5 (A) | 5, 6 | E♭♭, E♭ |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6 | G♭, A♭ |
| 3 (G) | 4, 5, 7 | C♭, C, E♭♭ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 6, 7 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 7 | A♭, C♭ |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
A♭ hungarian major in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 15 notes across 6 strings, from C♭ on the low E string at fret 7 up to E♭♭ on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the B string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 8, 10 | C♭, C, E♭♭ |
| 5 (A) | 8, 9 | F, G♭ |
| 4 (D) | 9, 10 | C♭, C |
| 3 (G) | 7, 8, 10 | E♭♭, E♭, F |
| 2 (B) | 7, 9 | G♭, A♭ |
| 1 (e) | 7, 8, 10 | C♭, C, E♭♭ |
Box 4 · frets 10–13
A♭ hungarian major in box 4 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 15 notes across 6 strings, from E♭♭ on the low E string at fret 10 up to F on the high e string at fret 13. The root falls on the A string at fret 11 and the G string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 11, 13 | E♭♭, E♭, F |
| 5 (A) | 11 | A♭ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, E♭♭, E♭ |
| 3 (G) | 10, 11, 13 | F, G♭, A♭ |
| 2 (B) | 12, 13 | C♭, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 11, 13 | E♭♭, E♭, F |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ Hungarian major is A♭ acoustic with the second degree lowered to C♭ and a major third C added. The scale retains the ♭7 G♭, giving it a dominant pull. Compare with A♭ acoustic to hear the altered degrees.
When to use it
A♭ Hungarian major fits A♭ major and A♭ minor chords, adding a ♭5. Use it over A♭ major or A♭ minor in jazz-rock. The scale's dual thirds allow quick major-minor shifts.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first; the root sits on string 6, fret 4 and covers frets 1–4. This position keeps the chromatic pairs within a four-fret span.
Common questions
What notes are in A♭ Hungarian major?
A♭ Hungarian major contains A♭, C♭, C, E♭♭, E♭, F, G♭. The scale includes a minor third and a major third. Its diminished fifth adds a bluesy edge. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit A♭ Hungarian major?
A♭ Hungarian major works over A♭ major and A♭ minor chords. The ♭5 creates an altered dominant sound. Use it for rock or fusion solos.
How does A♭ Hungarian major differ from A♭ acoustic?
A♭ Hungarian major lowers the second degree to C♭ and adds C as a major third. A♭ acoustic uses B♭ and C instead. The Hungarian major has a ♭3 and ♭5.