D# Hungarian Major Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Open E tuning — fretboard diagram
D# Hungarian Major in Open E — 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 E (E-B-E-G#-B-E)
About Open E Tuning
Open E tuning (E-B-E-G#-B-E) produces a bright, full E major chord when strummed open. Structurally identical to Open D but tuned a whole step higher, Open E delivers a snappier, more cutting tone that has defined the sound of electric slide guitar in blues-rock and Southern rock.
Duane Allman used Open E on the Allman Brothers Band's legendary 'Statesboro Blues' and 'At Fillmore East' recordings, establishing it as the definitive electric slide tuning. Derek Trucks carries on this tradition as one of the greatest living slide guitarists. The Black Crowes used Open E for 'She Talks to Angels'. Because three strings are tuned UP from standard (the 3rd, 4th, and 5th), Open E puts more tension on the neck than Open D — this is why many acoustic players prefer Open D, while electric players favor Open E for its brighter bite.
Notable artists: Duane Allman, Derek Trucks, The Black Crowes, Bob Dylan, Lynyrd Skynyrd
Best for: Electric slide guitar, Southern rock, blues-rock, and any style that needs bright, singing slide tone with the tonal center of E
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 A
- D# Hungarian Major in Double Drop D
- D# Hungarian Major in Open C