C# 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
C# 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

1C#root
2D#major 2nd
b3Eminor 3rd
#4Gaug 4th
5G#perfect 5th
b6Aminor 6th
7B#major 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
C#
W
D#
H
E
WH
G
H
G#
H
A
WH
B#

Chords by degree

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IC#point of resttonic
IIIEdefines modal qualitythird
VG#supports the tonic sonorityfifth

Typical resolutions & tensions

VIIB#B#
IC#C#
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IC#C#
IID#D#
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how C# Hungarian minor looks on guitar.

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Circle of fifths

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

CAmGEmDBmAF#mEC#mBG#mF#D#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmDbmajor
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
5 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

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

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Frequently Asked Questions