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C♯ hungarian major scale on guitar
C♯ Hungarian major uses C♯, E, E♯, G, G♯, A♯, B. Its half-step clusters give it a tense, Eastern European flavour.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the C♯ hungarian major scale on guitar?
C♯ hungarian major in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 15 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 B string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | E, E♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 1, 2 | A♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 2, 3 | E, E♯ |
| 3 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | G, G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 1, 3 | E, E♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C♯ hungarian major in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 15 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to A♯ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the A string at fret 4 and the G string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | G, G♯, A♯ |
| 5 (A) | 4 | C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | E♯, G, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 3, 4, 6 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 5, 6 | E, E♯ |
| 1 (e) | 3, 4, 6 | G, G♯, A♯ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
C♯ hungarian major in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 16 notes across 6 strings, from A♯ on the low E string at fret 6 up to C♯ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the low E string at fret 9, the G string at fret 6 and the high e string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 7, 8 | E, E♯ |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 3 (G) | 6, 9 | C♯, E |
| 2 (B) | 6, 8, 9 | E♯, G, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
C♯ hungarian major in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 14 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the low E string at fret 9, the D string at fret 11 and the high e string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 12 | C♯, E |
| 5 (A) | 10, 11 | G, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 9, 10, 12 | E, E♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 9, 11, 12 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 12 | C♯, E |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ Hungarian major derives from C♯ acoustic by lowering the second degree to E and adding E♯ as a major third. The scale keeps the ♭7 B, so it functions as a dominant colour. Contrast with C♯ acoustic to hear the altered notes.
When to use it
C♯ Hungarian major fits C♯ major and C♯ minor chords, adding a ♭5. Use it over C♯ major or C♯ minor in progressive rock. The scale's dual thirds allow bending between minor and major.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first; the root on string 5, fret 4 covers frets 0–3. This position places the half-step pairs under a compact hand span.
Common questions
What notes are in C♯ Hungarian major?
C♯ Hungarian major contains C♯, E, E♯, G, G♯, A♯, B. The scale has both a minor third and a major third. Its diminished fifth adds tension. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit C♯ Hungarian major?
C♯ Hungarian major works over C♯ major and C♯ minor chords. The ♭5 creates a bluesy, altered sound. Use it for dominant or static harmony.
How does C♯ Hungarian major differ from C♯ acoustic?
C♯ Hungarian major lowers the second degree to E and adds E♯ as a major third. C♯ acoustic uses D♯ and E♯ instead. The Hungarian major has a ♭3 and ♭5.