C Hungarian min

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C Hungarian min Scale

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Step pattern W – H – W+H – H – H – W+H – H

C Hungarian min contains 7 notes: C, D, E♭, F♯, G, A♭, B. It has 1 sharp: F♯. The step pattern is W–H–W+H–H–H–W+H–H.

The quintessential "gypsy" scale — passionate, virtuosic, and emotionally charged. Its raised 4th against a minor 3rd creates the fiery sound of Hungarian folk music, Liszt's rhapsodies, and Roma violin traditions. A favorite in neoclassical metal for its dark, chaotic intensity.

Theory

The formula is 1, 2, b3, #4, 5, b6, 7. The 4th mode of the double harmonic scale, it combines minor darkness (b3, b6) with brightness (#4, natural 7), producing two augmented 2nd intervals (b3 to #4 and b6 to 7). It differs from standard harmonic minor by raising the 4th, which creates that second exotic gap.

On the guitar

Works beautifully over min(maj7) chords and dominant 7th b5 voicings. Use multi-octave 3-notes-per-string shapes for aggressive, sweeping runs, or single-string speed lines for a more traditional approach. The b3-to-#4 stretch is the money interval — emphasize it in every phrase for maximum character.

Piano