E Hungarian Minor Guitar Scale — DADGAD
Guitar scale in DADGAD tuning — fretboard diagram
E Hungarian Minor in DADGAD — Notes and Intervals
The E Hungarian Minor scale, also known as the Gypsy Minor, is famous for its two wide melodic gaps. On Guitar, its notes are E, F#, G, A#, B, C, D#. 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: E, F#, G, A#, B, C, D#
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
Tuning: DADGAD (D-A-D-G-A-D)
About DADGAD Tuning
DADGAD tuning creates an open Dsus4 chord when strummed open, producing a hauntingly beautiful, droning sound that has become synonymous with Celtic folk music and modern acoustic songwriting. The tuning's natural resonance and overtones make even simple fingerpicking patterns sound rich and complex.
Popularized by Davey Graham in the 1960s and later championed by Pierre Bensusan and Jimmy Page, DADGAD has become one of the most beloved alternate tunings for acoustic guitarists. Its suspended quality — neither clearly major nor minor — creates an ethereal, meditative atmosphere that invites exploration. The tuning excels at creating drone-based arrangements where open strings ring against fretted notes.
Notable artists: Pierre Bensusan, Jimmy Page, Andy McKee, Davey Graham, Laurence Juber
Best for: Celtic folk, acoustic songwriting, drone-based fingerpicking, and meditative compositions
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- E Hungarian Minor in Standard Tuning
- E Hungarian Minor in Drop D
- E Hungarian Minor in Open G
- E Hungarian Minor in Baritone (B Standard)
- E Hungarian Minor in 7-string
- E Hungarian Minor in 8-string
- E Hungarian Minor in Drop C
- E Hungarian Minor in Drop B
- E Hungarian Minor in Open D
- E Hungarian Minor in Half Step Down
- E Hungarian Minor in Open E
- E Hungarian Minor in Open A
- E Hungarian Minor in Double Drop D
- E Hungarian Minor in Open C