A Hungarian Major Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Open C tuning — fretboard diagram
A Hungarian Major in Open C — Notes and Intervals
The A Hungarian Major scale is a heptatonic scale that provides an Eastern European dominant sound. On Guitar, the notes are A, C, C#, D#, E, F#, G. 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: A, C, C#, D#, E, F#, G
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 C (C-G-C-G-C-E)
About Open C Tuning
Open C tuning (C-G-C-G-C-E) produces a C major chord when strummed open, with an enormous bass depth from the low C string (two whole steps below standard E). The tuning spans a vast tonal range that gives compositions an almost orchestral scope, making it a favorite for both delicate fingerstyle and crushing heavy music.
John Butler's 'Ocean' — one of the most famous modern fingerstyle compositions — is performed in Open C, showcasing the tuning's incredible dynamic range from thundering bass to shimmering harmonics. Devin Townsend uses Open C extensively across his catalog for its massive, wall-of-sound potential. Jimmy Page used it on Led Zeppelin's 'Friends' from Led Zeppelin III. Soundgarden also explored Open C. The three C strings and two G strings create powerful octave resonances that make even simple chord shapes sound huge.
Notable artists: John Butler, Devin Townsend, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Soundgarden, William Ackerman
Best for: Cinematic fingerstyle compositions, progressive metal walls of sound, post-rock textures, and any music that needs enormous tonal range from deep bass to bright treble
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
- A Hungarian Major in Standard Tuning
- A Hungarian Major in Drop D
- A Hungarian Major in DADGAD
- A Hungarian Major in Open G
- A Hungarian Major in Baritone (B Standard)
- A Hungarian Major in 7-string
- A Hungarian Major in 8-string
- A Hungarian Major in Drop C
- A Hungarian Major in Drop B
- A Hungarian Major in Open D
- A Hungarian Major in Half Step Down
- A Hungarian Major in Open E
- A Hungarian Major in Open A
- A Hungarian Major in Double Drop D