D# Hungarian Major Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Open A tuning — fretboard diagram
D# Hungarian Major in Open A — Notes and Intervals
The D# Hungarian Major scale is a heptatonic scale that provides an Eastern European dominant sound. On Guitar, the notes are D#, E##, G, A, A#, C, C#. It offers a unique, exotic brightness that is excellent for adding cultural character to a composition. Commonly used in Classical, Eastern European Folk, Film Scores. Notable players include Bela Bartok, Zoltan Kodaly. Use over dominant chords in Eastern European folk contexts. Adds cultural character to compositions.
Notes: D#, E##, G, A, A#, C, C#
Intervals: 1P, 2A, 3M, 4A, 5P, 6M, 7m
Degrees: 1 #2 3 #4 5 6 b7
Formula: WH-H-W-H-W-H-W
Number of notes: 7
Tuning: Open A (E-A-E-A-C#-E)
About Open A Tuning
Open A tuning (E-A-E-A-C#-E) produces an A major chord when strummed open. It is structurally identical to Open G tuned up one whole step, delivering a brighter, more tense sound that works particularly well for slide guitar centered on the key of A.
Jimmy Page used Open A with a slide on Led Zeppelin's 'In My Time of Dying' from Physical Graffiti (1975). Rory Gallagher also employed Open A for his raw, energetic slide work. Many players achieve Open A by simply placing a capo at the 2nd fret in Open G tuning, which is why dedicated Open A usage is less commonly discussed. However, without a capo, Open A gives direct access to the open A string resonance and a different feel under the fingers due to the higher tension.
Notable artists: Jimmy Page, Rory Gallagher, Delta blues players
Best for: Slide guitar in the key of A, blues playing, and situations where you need the brightness of Open G tuned up without a capo
Musical Character
A major scale with both a #4 (Lydian) and b7 (Mixolydian) plus an added b3 — creating an Eastern European dominant color unlike any standard Western mode.
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- D# Hungarian Major in Standard Tuning
- D# Hungarian Major in Drop D
- D# Hungarian Major in DADGAD
- D# Hungarian Major in Open G
- D# Hungarian Major in Baritone (B Standard)
- D# Hungarian Major in 7-string
- D# Hungarian Major in 8-string
- D# Hungarian Major in Drop C
- D# Hungarian Major in Drop B
- D# Hungarian Major in Open D
- D# Hungarian Major in Half Step Down
- D# Hungarian Major in Open E
- D# Hungarian Major in Double Drop D
- D# Hungarian Major in Open C