F# 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
F# 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

1F#root
2G#major 2nd
b3Aminor 3rd
#4B#aug 4th
5C#perfect 5th
b6Dminor 6th
7E#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
F#
W
G#
H
A
WH
B#
H
C#
H
D
WH
E#

Chords by degree

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IF#point of resttonic
IIIAdefines modal qualitythird
VC#supports the tonic sonorityfifth

Typical resolutions & tensions

VIIE#E#
IF#F#
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IF#F#
IIG#G#
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how F# 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#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmF#major
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
6 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

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

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Frequently Asked Questions