A# Hungarian Minor Guitar Scale — Drop D
Guitar scale in Drop D tuning — fretboard diagram
A# Hungarian Minor in Drop D — Notes and Intervals
The A# Hungarian Minor scale, also known as the Gypsy Minor, is famous for its two wide melodic gaps. On Guitar, its notes are A#, C, C#, E, F, F#, 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: A#, C, C#, E, F, F#, 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
Tuning: Drop D (D-A-D-G-B-E)
About Drop D Tuning
Drop D tuning lowers the 6th string from E to D, giving you instant access to heavy power chords with a single finger. This deceptively simple change opens up a world of heavier riffs, deeper bass notes, and new chord voicings that are impossible in standard tuning. The low D string creates a powerful foundation for rhythm playing while keeping the rest of the fretboard familiar.
Drop D is one of the most versatile alternate tunings in modern music. From the crunchy riffs of grunge and alternative rock to the thunderous breakdowns of metal, this tuning has shaped the sound of countless iconic songs. It's also surprisingly useful for fingerpicking and acoustic arrangements where you need a deep bass drone.
Notable artists: Foo Fighters, Soundgarden, Rage Against the Machine, Tool, Killswitch Engage
Best for: Power chords, heavy riffs, drop-tuned metal rhythm, and acoustic arrangements with a deep bass drone
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- A# Hungarian Minor in Standard Tuning
- A# Hungarian Minor in DADGAD
- A# Hungarian Minor in Open G
- A# Hungarian Minor in Baritone (B Standard)
- A# Hungarian Minor in 7-string
- A# Hungarian Minor in 8-string
- A# Hungarian Minor in Drop C
- A# Hungarian Minor in Drop B
- A# Hungarian Minor in Open D
- A# Hungarian Minor in Half Step Down
- A# Hungarian Minor in Open E
- A# Hungarian Minor in Open A
- A# Hungarian Minor in Double Drop D
- A# Hungarian Minor in Open C