Exotic Scales

Description

The Hungarian Minor Scale (1, 2, b3, #4, 5, b6, 7) can be thought of as a Harmonic Minor Scale with a raised 4th. In the key of E, it is spelled out with the notes E, F#, G, A#, B, C, D#.

Triads built on these notes form the chords Emin, F#b5, Gaug, A#dim, B, C, D#min

One handy way to remember how and when to use the Hungarian Minor scale is when you’re confronted with a progression of two minor chords a half step apart. When this is the case, use the Hungarian Minor scale based on the root of the higher chord. In this example, the progression that we’re going to solo over is Emin to D#min.