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F hungarian major scale on guitar
F Hungarian major uses F, A♭, A, C♭, C, D, E♭. 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 F hungarian major scale on guitar?
F hungarian major in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 14 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 1, the D string at fret 3 and the high e string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 4 | F, A♭ |
| 5 (A) | 2, 3 | C♭, C |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 3 (G) | 1, 2, 4 | A♭, A, C♭ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 3, 4 | C, D, E♭ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 4 | F, A♭ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
F hungarian major in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 15 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 B string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 5, 7 | A♭, A, C♭ |
| 5 (A) | 5, 6 | D, E♭ |
| 4 (D) | 6, 7 | A♭, A |
| 3 (G) | 4, 5, 7 | C♭, C, D |
| 2 (B) | 4, 6 | E♭, F |
| 1 (e) | 4, 5, 7 | A♭, A, C♭ |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
F 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 D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the A string at fret 8 and the G string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 8, 10 | C♭, C, D |
| 5 (A) | 8 | F |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, C♭, C |
| 3 (G) | 7, 8, 10 | D, E♭, F |
| 2 (B) | 9, 10 | A♭, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 8, 10 | C♭, C, D |
Box 4 · frets 10–13
F hungarian major in box 4 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 16 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to F on the high e string at fret 13. The root falls on the low E string at fret 13, the G string at fret 10 and the high e string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 11, 13 | D, E♭, F |
| 5 (A) | 11, 12 | A♭, A |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 3 (G) | 10, 13 | F, A♭ |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12, 13 | A, C♭, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 11, 13 | D, E♭, F |
Why it sounds like that
F Hungarian major derives from F acoustic by lowering the second degree to A♭ and adding A as a major third. The scale keeps the ♭7 E♭, so it functions as a dominant colour. Contrast with F acoustic to hear the altered notes.
When to use it
F Hungarian major fits F major and F minor chords, adding a ♭5. Use it over F major or F 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 6, fret 1 covers frets 1–4. This position places the half-step pairs under a compact hand span.
Common questions
What notes are in F Hungarian major?
F Hungarian major contains F, A♭, A, C♭, C, D, E♭. The scale has both a minor third and a major third. Its diminished fifth adds tension.
Which chords fit F Hungarian major?
F Hungarian major works over F major and F minor chords. The ♭5 creates a bluesy, altered sound. Use it for dominant or static harmony.
How does F Hungarian major differ from F acoustic?
F Hungarian major lowers the second degree to A♭ and adds A as a major third. F acoustic uses G and A instead. The Hungarian major has a ♭3 and ♭5.