B Hungarian Minor Piano Scale
Piano scale diagram
B Hungarian Minor Scale — Notes and Intervals
The B Hungarian Minor scale, also known as the Gypsy Minor, is famous for its two wide melodic gaps. On Piano, its notes are B, C#, D, F, F#, G, A#. It sounds powerful, mysterious, and perfectly balanced, frequently appearing in classical masterworks and modern melodic metal. Commonly used in Classical, Metal, Klezmer, Film Scores, Gypsy Jazz. Notable players include Franz Liszt, Yngwie Malmsteen, Marty Friedman, Django Reinhardt. Use over m chords in gypsy jazz and neoclassical metal. Works beautifully over i-V progressions in minor keys.
Notes: B, C#, D, F, F#, G, A#
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 4A, 5P, 6m, 7M
Degrees: 1 2 b3 #4 5 b6 7
Formula: W-H-WH-H-H-WH-H
Number of notes: 7
How to Play B Hungarian Minor on Piano
On piano, the B Hungarian Minor scale uses 3 black keys. Start with your thumb on B and use the black keys as landmarks for consistent finger placement. Standard major or minor fingering patterns apply.
The B Hungarian Minor scale contains 3 sharps (C#, F#, A#). Its relative major is D major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the B Hungarian Minor scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (B-D, C#-F) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on B to let the characteristic intervals of the Hungarian Minor scale come through clearly.
Piano Tips
On piano, practice the B Hungarian Minor scale hands together in contrary motion (one hand ascending, the other descending). This builds independence and strengthens your awareness of the scale's symmetry.
The B Hungarian Minor scale contains 7 notes (B, C#, D, F, F#, G, A#). Use the interactive piano diagram above to explore this scale on Piano.