Explore scales · Ukulele
A hungarian major scale on ukulele
A Hungarian major uses A, C, C♯, E♭, E, F♯, G. Box 1 keeps the root on string 4, fret 2 and string 2, fret 5.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the A hungarian major scale on ukulele?
A hungarian major in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 10 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the G string at fret 2 and the A string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1, 3 | C, C♯, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (A) | 0, 3 | A, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
A hungarian major in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 10 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the C string at fret 3 up to E♭ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the E string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 6 | C, C♯ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 4, 6 | E♭, E, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, C♯, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
A hungarian major in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 11 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the C string at fret 6 up to F♯ on the A string at fret 9. The root falls on the C string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 8, 9 | C♯, E♭, E |
| 3 (C) | 6, 7, 9 | F♯, G, A |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9 | C, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 7, 9 | E♭, E, F♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
A hungarian major in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 11 notes across 4 strings, from A on the C string at fret 9 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the C string at fret 9 and the A string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 11, 12 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (C) | 9, 12 | A, C |
| 2 (E) | 9, 11, 12 | C♯, E♭, E |
| 1 (A) | 9, 10, 12 | F♯, G, A |
Why it sounds like that
Build A Hungarian major by raising the fourth of A acoustic to E♭. The scale runs 1, ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, ♭7 with steps 1½, H, W, H, W, H, W. Compare it to A acoustic to hear the altered fourth.
When to use it
Use A Hungarian major over A major or A minor chords for a dark, exotic colour. The ♭5 E♭ suits diminished and 7♭5 chords like E♭ 7th flat 5. It fits Eastern European folk and experimental jazz.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root under your first finger on string 4, fret 2 and covers frets 0–3 for easy access to the ♭3 and ♭5.
Common questions
Which notes are in A Hungarian major?
A, C, C♯, E♭, E, F♯, G. The scale has both a minor third and a major third, plus a flat fifth.
Which chords fit A Hungarian major?
A major and A minor work as tonic chords. The ♭5 E♭ pairs with diminished or 7♭5 chords like E♭ 7th flat 5.
Is A Hungarian major the same as A acoustic?
No. A acoustic has a D♯, while Hungarian major lowers it to E♭, creating the characteristic ♭5 interval.