Explore scales · Ukulele
D hungarian major scale on ukulele
D Hungarian major uses D, F, F♯, A♭, A, B, C. Box 1 roots are on string 3, fret 2 and string 1, fret 5.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the D hungarian major scale on ukulele?
D hungarian major in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 9 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 C string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 2 | A♭, A |
| 3 (C) | 0, 2 | C, D |
| 2 (E) | 1, 2 | F, F♯ |
| 1 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
D hungarian major in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 11 notes across 4 strings, from D on the C string at fret 2 up to D on the A string at fret 5. The root falls on the C string at fret 2 and the A string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2, 4, 5 | A, B, C |
| 3 (C) | 2, 5 | D, F |
| 2 (E) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, A♭, A |
| 1 (A) | 2, 3, 5 | B, C, D |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
D hungarian major in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F on the C string at fret 5 up to F on the A string at fret 8. The root falls on the G string at fret 7 and the A string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
| 3 (C) | 5, 6, 8 | F, F♯, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
| 1 (A) | 5, 8 | D, F |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
D hungarian major in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 10 notes across 4 strings, from A♭ on the C string at fret 8 up to A♭ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the E string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10, 11 | F, F♯ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 9, 11 | A♭, A, B |
| 2 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 1 (A) | 8, 9, 11 | F, F♯, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
D Hungarian major is D acoustic with the fourth raised to A♭. The intervals are 1, ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, ♭7, giving steps 1½, H, W, H, W, H, W. See D acoustic for the parent scale.
When to use it
D Hungarian major works over D major or D minor for a tense, exotic colour. The ♭5 A♭ suits A♭ 7th flat 5 or A♭ minor 7th flat 5th. Try it in Eastern European folk or fusion.
Which position to practise
Start with Box 1. It keeps the root on string 3, fret 2 and covers frets 0–3, making the ♭3 F and ♭5 A♭ easy to reach.
Common questions
What notes are in D Hungarian major?
D, F, F♯, A♭, A, B, C. A♭ is the flat fifth, enharmonic with G♯.
Which chords fit D Hungarian major?
D major and D minor are tonic options. The ♭5 A♭ pairs with A♭ 7th flat 5 or A♭ minor 7th flat 5th.
How does D Hungarian major differ from D acoustic?
D acoustic has G♯, while Hungarian major raises it to A♭, creating the ♭5 interval.