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A hungarian major scale on guitar
A Hungarian major uses A, C, C♯, E♭, E, F♯, G. Its half-step pairs create a biting, exotic line 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 0 to fret 3, 14 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 0 and the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 3 | A, C |
| 4 (D) | 1, 2 | E♭, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 1, 2 | C, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
A hungarian major in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 16 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5, the G string at fret 2 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 5 (A) | 3, 4 | C, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 2, 5 | A, C |
| 2 (B) | 2, 4, 5 | C♯, E♭, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
A hungarian major in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 14 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5, the D string at fret 7 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 8 | A, C |
| 5 (A) | 6, 7 | E♭, E |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 3 (G) | 5, 6, 8 | C, C♯, E♭ |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7, 8 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 8 | A, C |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
A hungarian major in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 15 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to E♭ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the B string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | C, C♯, E♭ |
| 5 (A) | 9, 10 | F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 10, 11 | C, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 8, 9, 11 | E♭, E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10 | G, A |
| 1 (e) | 8, 9, 11 | C, C♯, E♭ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
A hungarian major in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 15 notes across 6 strings, from E♭ on the low E string at fret 11 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 14. The root falls on the A string at fret 12 and the G string at fret 14.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 12, 14 | E♭, E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 12 | A |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, E♭, E |
| 3 (G) | 11, 12, 14 | F♯, G, A |
| 2 (B) | 13, 14 | C, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 12, 14 | E♭, E, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
A Hungarian major alters A acoustic by lowering the second degree to C and adding C♯ as a major third. The scale keeps the ♭7 from A acoustic, so it resolves with a dominant pull. Contrast with A acoustic to hear the difference.
When to use it
A Hungarian major fits A major and A minor chords, adding a ♭5 colour. Use it over A major or A minor in rock and fusion. The ♭3 and major 3rd let you bend between minor and major sounds.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first; it keeps the root on string 6, fret 5 and covers frets 0–3. This position anchors the half-step pairs under one hand.
Common questions
What notes are in A Hungarian major?
A Hungarian major contains A, C, C♯, E♭, E, F♯, G. The scale has both a minor third and a major third. Its diminished fifth adds tension.
Which chords fit A Hungarian major?
A Hungarian major works over A major and A minor chords. The scale's ♭5 creates a bluesy, altered sound. Use it for dominant or static harmony.
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.