Bb Hungarian Minor Scale

Notes in the Bb Hungarian Minor Scale

Degree Name Note Frequency (A=440)
1 Tonic Bb 466.164 Hz
2 Supertonic C 261.626 Hz
♭3 Minor Mediant Db 277.183 Hz
♯4 Augmented 4th E 329.628 Hz
5 Dominant F 349.228 Hz
♭6 Minor Submediant Gb 369.994 Hz
7 Leading Tone A 440.000 Hz

Interval Pattern

Formula: W-H-A2-H-H-A2-H
Step Interval Semitones From Note To Note
1 Whole Step (W) 2 Bb C
2 Half Step (H) 1 C Db
3 Aug 2nd (WH) 3 Db E
4 Half Step (H) 1 E F
5 Half Step (H) 1 F Gb
6 Aug 2nd (WH) 3 Gb A
7 Half Step (H) 1 A Bb

Chords Built on Scale Degrees

Degree Note Chord Quality
1 Bb Bb minor minor
2 C C (complex) other
♭3 Db Db augmented augmented
♯4 E E (complex) other
5 F F major
♭6 Gb Gb major
7 A A minor minor

Key Signature

2 — The Bb key signature uses Bb, Eb.

Bb Hungarian Minor Scale in Practice

The Bb Hungarian Minor Scale uses the key signature of 2 flats (Bb, Eb). Bb major has two flats (Bb, Eb) and is extremely common in jazz and wind ensemble music. It is the home key for Bb instruments such as the trumpet and tenor saxophone. On guitar, Bb positions offer comfortable transposing instrument keys 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
Bb 466.164 Hz 463.538 Hz 470.926 Hz
C 261.626 Hz 260.740 Hz 261.626 Hz
Db 277.183 Hz 278.437 Hz 279.067 Hz
E 329.628 Hz 330.001 Hz 327.032 Hz
F 349.228 Hz 347.654 Hz 348.834 Hz
Gb 369.994 Hz 371.251 Hz 367.911 Hz
A 440.000 Hz 440.000 Hz 436.043 Hz

Related Scales

Transposing Instruments: Bb Hungarian Minor Scale

Bb is a natural key for B♭ instruments (trumpet, clarinet, tenor sax), which sound a major second lower than written. B♭ instruments reading in C produce Bb concert pitch. E♭ instruments (alto sax, baritone sax) reading in Bb sound a major sixth lower.