How to Play the Hungarian Major Scale on Guitar

If you would like to improve your scale knowledge on the guitar, the Hungarian major scale is a great place to start. It is a very unusual scale with some very strange jumps. It is named for the folk music originating from this region. The scale is not comprised of simply a combination of whole and half steps like most scales. The distance between the first and second steps is one and a half steps, minor third, creating a distinctive sound and character.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• guitar

1. Play the fifth fret of the sixth string (low E string) with your forefinger. This is the root note of the A Hungarian major scale.
2. Using your pinky, play the eighth fret of the sixth string. This is the note B sharp, the second degree of the A Hungarian major scale. This jump of a minor third helps give the scale its unusual sound.
3. Using your pinky once again, play the ninth fret of the sixth string. This is the note C sharp, the third degree of the A Hungarian major scale.
4. Play the sixth fret of the fifth string (A string) with your ring finger. This is the note D sharp, the fourth degree of the A Hungarian major scale.
5. Use your pinky to play the seventh fret of the fifth string. This is the note E, the fifth degree of the A Hungarian major scale.
6. Hold down the fourth fret of the fourth string with your forefinger. This is the note F sharp, the sixth degree of the A Hungarian major scale.
7. Use your middle finger to play the fifth fret of the fourth string. This is the G, the seventh degree of the A Hungarian major scale.
8. Using your pinky, play the seventh fret of the fourth string. This is the final note of the A Hungarian major scale. This note is one octave higher than the root note you played in step one.
9. Play the scale in reverse. Play steps 8 through 1 in reverse order to complete the scale. That's it. You now know how to play a Hungarian major scale on the guitar!

Tips & Warnings

• Try soloing or jamming with this scale to create some highly unusual sounds!