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G hungarian major scale on guitar
G Hungarian major uses G, B♭, B, D♭, D, E, F. 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 G hungarian major scale on guitar?
G hungarian major in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 16 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 low E string at fret 3, the G string at fret 0 and the high e string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
| 5 (A) | 1, 2 | B♭, B |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2, 3 | D, E, F |
| 3 (G) | 0, 3 | G, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2, 3 | B, D♭, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
G hungarian major in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 14 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to B♭ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the low E string at fret 3, the D string at fret 5 and the high e string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 6 | G, B♭ |
| 5 (A) | 4, 5 | D♭, D |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 3 (G) | 3, 4, 6 | B♭, B, D♭ |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5, 6 | D, E, F |
| 1 (e) | 3, 6 | G, B♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
G hungarian major in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 15 notes across 6 strings, from B♭ on the low E string at fret 6 up to D♭ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the B string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 7, 9 | B♭, B, D♭ |
| 5 (A) | 7, 8 | E, F |
| 4 (D) | 8, 9 | B♭, B |
| 3 (G) | 6, 7, 9 | D♭, D, E |
| 2 (B) | 6, 8 | F, G |
| 1 (e) | 6, 7, 9 | B♭, B, D♭ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
G hungarian major in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 15 notes across 6 strings, from D♭ on the low E string at fret 9 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 10 and the G string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 10, 12 | D♭, D, E |
| 5 (A) | 10 | G |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, D♭, D |
| 3 (G) | 9, 10, 12 | E, F, G |
| 2 (B) | 11, 12 | B♭, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 10, 12 | D♭, D, E |
Why it sounds like that
G Hungarian major derives from G acoustic by lowering the second degree to B♭ and adding B as a major third. The scale keeps the ♭7 F, so it functions as a dominant colour. Contrast with G acoustic to hear the altered notes.
When to use it
G Hungarian major fits G major and G minor chords, adding a ♭5. Use it over G major or G 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 3 covers frets 0–3. This position places the half-step pairs under a compact hand span.
Common questions
What notes are in G Hungarian major?
G Hungarian major contains G, B♭, B, D♭, D, E, F. The scale has both a minor third and a major third. Its diminished fifth adds tension.
Which chords fit G Hungarian major?
G Hungarian major works over G major and G minor chords. The ♭5 creates a bluesy, altered sound. Use it for dominant or static harmony.
How does G Hungarian major differ from G acoustic?
G Hungarian major lowers the second degree to B♭ and adds B as a major third. G acoustic uses A and B instead. The Hungarian major has a ♭3 and ♭5.