F Hungarian Minor Piano Scale
Piano scale diagramIntermediate
F Hungarian Minor Scale — Notes and Intervals
The F Hungarian Minor scale, also known as the Gypsy Minor, is famous for its two wide melodic gaps. On Piano, its notes are F, G, Ab, B, C, Db, E. 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: F, G, Ab, B, C, Db, E
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
Musical Character
Contains TWO augmented 2nd intervals (b3-#4 and b6-7), giving it an unmistakable double-exotic quality. These 'leaps' are what make it sound simultaneously Eastern European and Middle Eastern.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Classical, Metal, Klezmer, Film Scores, Gypsy Jazz
Notable players: Franz Liszt, Yngwie Malmsteen, Marty Friedman, Django Reinhardt
How to Use the F Hungarian Minor Scale
Use over m chords in gypsy jazz and neoclassical metal. Works beautifully over i-V progressions in minor keys.
Origin & Background
Also known as the Gypsy Minor scale. Central to the Hungarian Rhapsodies of Franz Liszt and Romani musical tradition.
How to Play F Hungarian Minor on Piano
On piano, the F Hungarian Minor scale uses 2 black keys. Start with your thumb on F and use the black keys as landmarks for consistent finger placement. Standard major or minor fingering patterns apply.
The F Hungarian Minor scale contains 2 flats (Ab, Db). Its relative major is Ab major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the F Hungarian Minor scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (F-Ab, G-B) 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 F to let the characteristic intervals of the Hungarian Minor scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in metal contexts.
Piano Tips
On piano, practice the F 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. Aim for a powerful quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
The F Hungarian Minor scale contains 7 notes (F, G, Ab, B, C, Db, E). Use the interactive piano diagram above to explore this scale on Piano.