B Hungarian Minor Scale

Notes in the B Hungarian Minor Scale

Degree Name Note Frequency (A=440)
1 Tonic B 493.883 Hz
2 Supertonic C# 277.183 Hz
♭3 Minor Mediant D 293.665 Hz
♯4 Augmented 4th F 349.228 Hz
5 Dominant F# 369.994 Hz
♭6 Minor Submediant G 391.995 Hz
7 Leading Tone A# 466.164 Hz

Interval Pattern

Formula: W-H-A2-H-H-A2-H
Step Interval Semitones From Note To Note
1 Whole Step (W) 2 B C#
2 Half Step (H) 1 C# D
3 Aug 2nd (WH) 3 D F
4 Half Step (H) 1 F F#
5 Half Step (H) 1 F# G
6 Aug 2nd (WH) 3 G A#
7 Half Step (H) 1 A# B

Chords Built on Scale Degrees

Degree Note Chord Quality
1 B B minor minor
2 C# C# (complex) other
♭3 D D augmented augmented
♯4 F F (complex) other
5 F# F# major
♭6 G G major
7 A# A# minor minor

Key Signature

5 — The B key signature uses F#, C#, G#, D#, A#.

B Hungarian Minor Scale in Practice

The B Hungarian Minor Scale uses the key signature of 5 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#). B major has five sharps and a bright, somewhat tense quality. Enharmonically equivalent to Cb major, it is used in orchestral writing and some jazz compositions. On guitar, B positions offer open-string resonance for fingering positions for this scale.

The Hungarian minor scale features two augmented second intervals and a raised 4th degree, creating a haunting, Eastern European character. It is central to Hungarian and Romani folk music traditions.

Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments

Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.

Note Equal Temp. Pythagorean Just Intonation
B 493.883 Hz 495.000 Hz 490.548 Hz
C# 277.183 Hz 278.437 Hz 279.067 Hz
D 293.665 Hz 293.332 Hz 294.329 Hz
F 349.228 Hz 347.654 Hz 348.834 Hz
F# 369.994 Hz 371.251 Hz 367.911 Hz
G 391.995 Hz 391.111 Hz 392.438 Hz
A# 466.164 Hz 463.538 Hz 470.926 Hz

Related Scales

Guitar: B Hungarian Minor Scale Positions

The B key offers 5 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like B are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.