D# Hungarian Minor Guitar Scale — Drop C
Guitar scale in Drop C tuning — fretboard diagram
D# Hungarian Minor in Drop C — Notes and Intervals
The D# Hungarian Minor scale, also known as the Gypsy Minor, is famous for its two wide melodic gaps. On Guitar, its notes are D#, F, F#, A, A#, B, 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: D#, F, F#, A, A#, B, 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: Drop C (C-G-C-F-A-D)
About Drop C Tuning
Drop C tuning (C-G-C-F-A-D) drops every string one whole step below Drop D, delivering a massive, brutal low-end that has defined the sound of modern metalcore, post-hardcore, and nu-metal. The low C string provides earth-shaking power chords with a single finger while maintaining familiar Drop D shapes — just two frets lower.
From System of a Down's iconic riffs to Killswitch Engage's crushing breakdowns, Drop C has become the standard tuning for heavy music that needs to sound bigger than standard Drop D. It bridges the gap between standard guitar territory and the extended range of 7-string guitars, making it accessible to players who want heavier tones without buying a new instrument.
Notable artists: System of a Down, Killswitch Engage, Bullet for My Valentine, As I Lay Dying, August Burns Red
Best for: Modern metalcore breakdowns, heavy power chord riffs, nu-metal grooves, and aggressive rhythm playing
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- D# Hungarian Minor in Standard Tuning
- D# Hungarian Minor in Drop D
- D# Hungarian Minor in DADGAD
- D# Hungarian Minor in Open G
- D# Hungarian Minor in Baritone (B Standard)
- D# Hungarian Minor in 7-string
- D# Hungarian Minor in 8-string
- D# Hungarian Minor in Drop B
- D# Hungarian Minor in Open D
- D# Hungarian Minor in Half Step Down
- D# Hungarian Minor in Open E
- D# Hungarian Minor in Open A
- D# Hungarian Minor in Double Drop D
- D# Hungarian Minor in Open C