Bb Hungarian minor

Harmonic minor with a raised 4th; two augmented 2nds give it a sharply defined sound.

Octaves

Musical context

How the scale relates to the chord, mode, key and progression.

Theory

General info

Name
Bb Hungarian minor
Family
Exotic scales
Note count
7
Step formula
W – H – W+H – H – H – W+H – H
Numeric formula
0-2-1-3-1-1-3-1

Notes & degrees

1Bbroot
2Cmajor 2nd
b3Dbminor 3rd
#4Eaug 4th
5Fperfect 5th
b6Gbminor 6th
7Amajor 7th

Construction

Overview
Harmonic minor with a raised 4th; two augmented 2nds give it a sharply defined sound.
Application in music
Pairs with a minor tonic; raised 4th and major 7th degrees create two directed tendencies.
Interval formula
Bb
W
C
H
Db
WH
E
H
F
H
Gb
WH
A

Chords by degree

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IBbpoint of resttonic
IIIDbdefines modal qualitythird
VFsupports the tonic sonorityfifth

Typical resolutions & tensions

VIIAA
IBbBb
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IBbBb
IICC
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how Bb Hungarian minor looks on guitar.

Explore

Circle of fifths

The major key on the same tonic and its neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths.

CAmGEmDBmAF#mEC#mBG#mF#D#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmBbmajor
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
2 flats (Bb, Eb)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.

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Frequently Asked Questions