A-Hungarian Minor Scale Degrees on the Guitar Fretboard

Map showing all intervals of the A-Hungarian Minor scale across the entire guitar fretboard.

A-Hungarian Minor consists of the notes A, B, C, D#, E, F, G#, and its scale-degree formula is 1-2-b3-#4-5-b6-7.

Note: Intervals are given as scale degrees relative to the Major scale. These are the same scale degrees which are often used to write scale formulas and chords which is very handy as you don't need to make any conversion between the formulas and the diagram.

A-Hungarian Minor is the 4th relative mode of the E-Double Harmonic Major scale. In other words, it shares the same notes as the E-Double Harmonic Major scale but is centered around A as the root note, giving it a unique modal character.

Interesting Insights About This Scale

2 leaps. Much like Harmonic Minor, the Hungarian Minor scale gets its distinctive "oriental" flavor from its augmented seconds (that's a name of an interval that spans three semitones). But while the Harmonic Minor scale contains one leap of an augmented second, the Hungarian Minor scale has two: between b3–#4 and b6–7. By comparison, the Natural Minor and Melodic Minor scales contain no such leaps at all.

Natural chromaticism. Another defining feature is the raised 4th (#4), which creates natural chromatic movement. The notes #4–5–b6 form a sequence of three consecutive tones, each separated by a half-step, making melodic lines sound especially expressive and exotic. If you enjoy the dark, dramatic character of the Harmonic Minor scale, you'll likely appreciate the even more colorful sound of the Hungarian Minor as well ;).

How You Can Use This Chart

• Visualize and memorize the locations of degrees of the A-Hungarian Minor scale across the entire fretboard.
• Find different chord voicings, inversions or shapes that fit in the A-Hungarian Minor scale.
• Improvise a solo or a lick over an A-Hungarian Minor backing track, a vamp, an A minor (Am) or an A minor-major 7th (AminMaj7) chord by playing any notes from the diagram. You can also experiment with playing over an A diminished (Adim) chord, as it technically fits the scale as well.
• Break free from playing the scales using the boxed patterns.
• Find convenient patterns to play common arpeggios that are available in the A-Hungarian Minor scale.
• Memorize notes of the scale one string at a time.
• Learn the intervallic pattern of whole and half-steps of the scale using one string only.

But you are free and encouraged to come up with your own uses as well.

The Perks

• This diagram allows you to play the scale "horizontally" across the entire fretboard as opposed to playing it "vertically" in a box-like scale pattern. This is what gives you absolute and unconstrained freedom of movement.
• You don't necessarily need to know the location of individual notes on the fretboard to explore the scale and experiment with chord voicings.
• Instead of playing notes in isolation, you begin to focus more on the available intervals within the scale or chord, their colors, tensions, how they relate to each other, and what you can do with them to get the effect you're after.

Features and Benefits of the Chart

• Notes As Intervals. All notes of the scale are shown as intervals (scale degrees relative to the Major scale). Presenting them this way, rather than using concrete note names, allows you to target specific degrees of the scale and easily make adjustments to the scale patterns when needed.
• Scale Formula: Notes that make up the A-Hungarian Minor scale and its scale degree formula are conveniently placed right above the diagram so that you don't need to look up another reference.
• 12 and 24 Frets: The charts are available in two variations: as 12 frets and as 24 frets.
• Highlighted Roots. Knowing where the root notes are is what differs this scale from any other scale within the same family of scales (i.e. relative modes). So it is very important to be aware of where your roots are and this chart allows you to locate them effortlessly.
• Doubled Frets: Fret numbers are provided both below and above the diagram, offering additional visual cues to pinpoint your location and navigate the fretboard with even greater ease.