Hungarian Minor Scales on Piano
The Hungarian minor scale is the fourth mode of the double harmonic scale — a dramatic seven-note scale with two augmented seconds that produces a dark, intense, and distinctly Eastern European sound. It appears in Romani (Gypsy) music, Hungarian classical compositions (Liszt, Bartók), and klezmer traditions.
Formula: W–H–WH–H–H–WH–H (whole–half–whole+half–half–half–whole+half–half)
Intervals: P1–M2–m3–A4–P5–m6–M7–P8
Scale degrees: 1–2–♭3–♯4–5–♭6–7
Sound: Dark, dramatic, Romani, Eastern European
Also known as: Gypsy minor, Double harmonic minor, 4th mode of double harmonic
Harmonic minor with a twist: Compare Hungarian minor (1–2–♭3–♯4–5–♭6–7) to harmonic minor (1–2–♭3–4–5–♭6–7). The only difference is the raised 4th — but that single ♯4 adds a second augmented second (between ♭3 and ♯4) on top of the one already present (between ♭6 and 7), doubling the exotic intensity.
Hungarian Minor Scale in All 18 Keys
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C Hungarian Minor Scale
C# Hungarian Minor Scale
Db Hungarian Minor Scale
D Hungarian Minor Scale
D# Hungarian Minor Scale
Eb Hungarian Minor Scale
E Hungarian Minor Scale
F Hungarian Minor Scale
F# Hungarian Minor Scale
Gb Hungarian Minor Scale
G Hungarian Minor Scale
G# Hungarian Minor Scale
Ab Hungarian Minor Scale
A Hungarian Minor Scale
A# Hungarian Minor Scale
Bb Hungarian Minor Scale
B Hungarian Minor Scale
Cb Hungarian Minor Scale
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Intervals, construction formulas, practice strategies, and how this scale connects to others.