C Hungarian Major is a world scale from the bright, consonant major family. Major with raised 4th and flatted 7th — bright but unstable. The Hungarian Major scale contains 7 notes: C, D, E, Gb, G, A, Bb. With a formula of 1 - 2 - 3 - b5 - 5 - 6 - b7, it uses all seven notes of the diatonic system. This advanced scale opens up sophisticated harmonic possibilities.
The C Hungarian Major scale is constructed using the interval formula 1 - 2 - 3 - b5 - 5 - 6 - b7, which means it contains the intervals Root (1), Major Second (2), Major Third (3), Tritone (b5/#4), Perfect Fifth (5), Major Sixth (6), Minor Seventh (b7) above the root C. The notes are C, D, E, Gb, G, A, Bb. Starting from the C major scale (C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B), the Hungarian Major scale takes the natural major degrees. Key characteristics: Lydian #4 + Mixolydian b7. Angular brightness.
C Hungarian Major sounds bright, uplifting, and consonant. The major third (E) gives it its characteristic happy quality, while the perfect fifth (G) provides harmonic stability. The natural half-step intervals create gentle forward motion. The emotional feeling is one of brightness, resolution, and optimism. This scale is the foundation of Western music and appears in virtually every genre from classical to pop.
C Hungarian Major works best in World, Hungarian, Folk music. Use it over major chord progressions to create bright, consonant melodies. It works beautifully as a starting point for improvisation over I-IV-V and I-V-vi-IV progressions.
Compatible chords and progressions:
1. I - bVII - IV
2. I7#11
Related scales:
- Lydian Dominant
- Hungarian Minor
- Mixolydian
Practice Routine for C Hungarian Major:
5 minutes: Play each note of the C Hungarian Major scale slowly, one at a time. Listen carefully to the character of each interval. Ascending and descending through the scale. Focus on clean, even tone on each note.
10 minutes: Practice the scale with a metronome at 60 BPM. Play one note per beat ascending, then descending. Gradually increase to two notes per beat (eighth notes) and four notes per beat (sixteenth notes). Focus on timing precision.
20 minutes: Apply the scale over a backing track in C major. Improvise melodies using only the Hungarian Major scale notes. Experiment with different rhythmic patterns, slides, bends, and vibrato. Focus on musical phrasing.
30 minutes: Learn the scale in multiple positions across the fretboard. Connect different positions with smooth transitions. Practice playing the scale over a chord progression (I - bVII - IV). Record yourself and analyze your phrasing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Playing too fast before understanding the scale's sound character
- Not listening to the intervals individually
- Ignoring the scale's unique character (each scale has a distinctive mood)
- Skipping the descending practice — descending is equally important
Advanced Tips: Explore the scale's modes and related scales. Practice with odd time signatures and asymmetric rhythms. Use the scale over non-standard chord progressions to discover new sounds.
pages.scaleDetail.frequentlyAskedQuestions
What is the C Hungarian Major scale?
C Hungarian Major is a world scale consisting of 7 notes: C, D, E, Gb, G, A, Bb. The formula is 1 - 2 - 3 - b5 - 5 - 6 - b7. Major with raised 4th and flatted 7th — bright but unstable.
What notes are in the C Hungarian Major scale?
The C Hungarian Major scale contains the notes C, D, E, Gb, G, A, Bb. These correspond to the formula 1 - 2 - 3 - b5 - 5 - 6 - b7, which represents the intervals Root (1), Major Second (2), Major Third (3), Tritone (b5/#4), Perfect Fifth (5), Major Sixth (6), Minor Seventh (b7) above the root C.
What is the formula for the C Hungarian Major scale?
The formula for the C Hungarian Major scale is 1 - 2 - 3 - b5 - 5 - 6 - b7. This means it uses the Root (1), Major Second (2), Major Third (3), Tritone (b5/#4), Perfect Fifth (5), Major Sixth (6), Minor Seventh (b7) intervals from the root note C.
How do you play the C Hungarian Major scale on guitar?
To play the C Hungarian Major scale on guitar, start at the root note C and follow the fretboard pattern. Each note corresponds to a specific fret on the guitar. Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to see all positions and fingerings.
What is the C Hungarian Major scale used for?
C Hungarian Major is commonly used in World, Hungarian, Folk, Jazz music. It works well over major chord progressions for bright, consonant melodies.
Is the C Hungarian Major scale the same as C major?
Yes, the C Hungarian Major scale is the same as the C major scale. They share the same notes and intervals.
What chords go well with the C Hungarian Major scale?
Chords that work well with the C Hungarian Major scale include I - bVII - IV, I7#11. The scale's major character makes it compatible with World and Hungarian chord progressions.