E 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
E 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

1Eroot
2F#major 2nd
b3Gminor 3rd
#4A#aug 4th
5Bperfect 5th
b6Cminor 6th
7D#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
E
W
F#
H
G
WH
A#
H
B
H
C
WH
D#

Chords by degree

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IEpoint of resttonic
IIIGdefines modal qualitythird
VBsupports the tonic sonorityfifth

Typical resolutions & tensions

VIID#D#
IEE
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IEE
IIF#F#
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how E 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#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmEmajor
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
4 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

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

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Frequently Asked Questions