The Unsettling Beauty of the Hungarian Minor Scale 

I can only imagine. I have very strong feelings about old Swedish folk music too! Thanks for sharing and have an awesome day!

Do you have any recommendations please?

Wow, thank you! I checked your channel and your improvisations are fantastic. What you do is like magic to me, so for you to take anything useful away from my video is mind-blowing to me. In the best possible way. Have a fantastic day!

Thank you for your comment! And for watching. Being open minded about music makes life and creativity so much more enjoyable, interesting and enriching if you ask me. Have a wonderful day!

Thank you! It's honestly quite different to my approach as well, which usually starts with doodling or playing along to some drums, but I enjoy this way too! It's great practice and I learn a lot doing these videos. I definitely come up with stuff I never would have thought of otherwise. So happy you enjoy the format as well, I spent a lot of time on this one and I hope it shows.

I agree. Awesome quality. You'll get to 100K subs in no time. Keep it going!

I'm glad to hear I wasn't just amusing myself! Haha. Thanks for commenting.

The second one is one I utilize in my own music all the time, and something I try to preach on this channel. To the extent that I ever preach anything, that is. I have a video called This Otherwordly Scale is Perfect for Eerie Heaviness (catchy title, I know) that goes into this. Thanks for the nice comment and have an awesome day!

I hope you do too, and then come back to share whatever you create! Best of luck! And thanks for the comment!

Do it. It lends itself so well to metal. More than the same-ish mainstream dribble we hear constantly.

@@johnskerlec9663 Just the other day I actually put out my second single, and it's anything but mainstream dribble, if I may say so myself. If you go to Bandcamp and search for Heitstrengning All Remains, Part 2, you can find it there. It will be on streaming services soon as well. The song ends in a metal frenzy, if you like that kind of thing!

@@heitstrengningmusic I've listened to your release. I love it. Takes you on a journey, which is what music should do.

@@johnskerlec9663 Thanks for checking it out! I love the journey songs too, so I had to try my hands at one.

That is really kind of you to say, and it does mean a lot for a small channel. Thank you! I hope you're having a great day!

Thank you for noticing haha! I appreciate that. And I hope you compose something of your own in hungarian minor now to thank me!

Thank you so much! I'm planning a similar video on the melodic minor scale if you'd be interested in coming back to check that out. Either way, have an awesome rest of your day!

Thanks for your reply,@@heitstrengningmusic I've subscribed to your channel, and am looking forward to your video on the melodic minor scale. In writing, I've attempted to employ different scales and modes. It makes far more interesting and can evoke more complex emotions within the listener. I'm glad I found your channel and will be back often.

@@GrantusM Awesome! Thank you. I agree, it definitely makes things more tasteful and interesting. As a composer/songwriter you have more control, or perhaps a quicker path to, certain emotions that you might want certain sections to evoke!

Thank you! I see myself as someone who loves music but has not talent for making it as well, so that's why I do it this way. My process is a result of my own limitations. I appreciate the comment btw, and have a great day!

Thanks Chris! Have a great day and thanks for commenting!

Really appreciate this. I always try to put a lot of effort into the editing, and it's good to hear it doesn't go unnoticed!

@@heitstrengningmusic it feels very practiced; engaging but not too busy.

Ah, cool. If I remember correctly, that part has some augmented chords? I'll have to give him/them a listen! Any specific songs you can recommend?

Thank you John! I love this. Thank you for sharing. In my opinion, the most interesting kind of creation comes from not fitting a regular/average box of genre definition, no matter the craft. Transcending rules and restrictions to make something uniquely you. For me, that's the motivation and the authentic quest! I appreciate the comment. Have a great day!

Hi there! Thank you so much for the feedback. How nice to hear! Have a great day!

Thank you! I really love the sounds you can get from this scale, it's such a strange and eerie vibe.

@@heitstrengningmusic very good scale thank you for sharing.

I love Opeth, so I take that any day! In this case, I would say it's the tritone (the sharp fourth interval), in combination with minor sounds, that makes it sound a bit like Opeth. I have another video on this scale if you're interested. It's called This Otherworldly Scale is Perfect for Eerie Heaviness. Not the catchiest name probably, I'm just realizing, haha. Anyhow, thanks a lot for commenting! I hope your day is going well.

Thank you so much for this! Finding enough time between work and family to keep making videos can be so hard. Comments like these give so much energy to keep going. And I'm pretty sure I'm speaking for all small RU-vidrs. Have an awesome day!

Whatever works for you! I've always felt like it's easiest to base it off of the minor scale. Indeed. It's a goldmine for those kinds of sounds!

@@heitstrengningmusic Well, for me, I don't plan to play with others so I don't need total scale mastery. I don't need duplicate names, either. So, I try to not memorize too much. Like maybe I'm weird but since the notes are identical, why call C major scale an A minor scale just because the chords are Am, Em and Dm? I mean, it's all the same notes. So why memorize 14 modes when you only need 7? That's my thought. Thanks for the vid though. It definitely gave me a reminder of how to get a vibe and something cool by restricting yourself to a scale type or mode etc. Cool stuff!!

@@TruthSurge Thank you. And yeah, you make a good point. So much of what's relevant depends on how we use the information and what our needs are.

Haha! Exactly. Yes.

That's so awesome. I appreciate you letting me know! Have a wonderful day!

Cool! Thanks for commenting. Do you have any examples I can listen to?

@@heitstrengningmusic I don't know anything that is made specifically to display the properties of Hungarian Minor, but one of the modes is the Byzantine scale i.e Double harmonic major which is commonly used, in well ex-Byzantian folk music i.e Greek or Balkan in general. Odd timing like 7/8, 5/8 or 9/8 is often used and the 3 semitones are played in legato. I used this knowledge when playing with the scale and found it to work quite well.

@@nvmcomrade Thanks a ton for sharing that! I'll have to experiment with everything you said!

@@heitstrengningmusic, or this ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-H45Lr-PVnGE.html

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1Oi0SM7WfXw.html

I'm glad you think so!

Haha I'll take it! Thanks for commenting! Hope you're having a great day.

Thank you so much! What a nice comment! I'm working on a video on melodic minor right now but I also have a playlist with other videos on theory you might like! I hope you're having an awesome day!

Thanks! Just to be super clear and not take false credit in case there's any confusion: I blend stock footage with my own stuff, when I make these little "cinematic" sections. But thanks for the nice comment and have a wonderful day!

Thank you! Not familiar with DBZ however, is that Dragonball maybe?

​@@heitstrengningmusic ​ Dragon Ball Z yes! I tried to find out which song it reminded me of, the more fitting one I was able to find is called ''The Strongest Guy in this World'' , starting around 0:20. The eerie vibe, while being an instrumental background music brought back the memory x)

@@olocippicolo Thank you! I'll have to check it out!

Funny enough, Mogwai were mentioned on the Discord for this channel a while back as one of the best Scottish bands! Thanks for reminding me! I hope your day is going well!

Very profound. Speaking for myself, I've always felt very much at home there. Never saddened by it, just, right at home. In equilibrium. It's like a nutrient I need to feel normal. But it never bums me out. And thank you for your comment, I hope your day is going well!

Thank you! Ah, cool! Hadn't considered that! Have a great day!

To be fair, I was watching last night a RU-vid video of Tony Iommi and Brian May; So already had this somewhere in my mind... By the way, I have a similar quest in mind - but for me it's Scottish bagpipe scales for electric guitar! ...

@@dickranmarsupialmusic3184 Maybe that had a little something to do with it then! Haha. Ah, that sounds cool. What are the invervals? I tried to do some brief research and it seems like it's common for them to be in mixolydian?

I'm not super familiar with these genres so that's a fascinating insight. Thank you! Have a great day!

Thank you! I appreciate it. Wish I could do more too!

That is a surprise! But then again, some people claim metal is a lot like surf music but without the distortion haha. Either way, thanks a lot for the comment!

@@heitstrengningmusic black metal specifically, which qualifies as one of the darkest types of metal music.

Thank you for your comment! I appreciate you taking the time to let me know you were here. Have a wonderful day! P.S. Which is your favorite David Lynch movie?

​@@heitstrengningmusic Hard to answer, Lynch is one of my favorite film makers. Maybe the less, Wild at heart. Badalamenti was a great musician too.

@@cajonaconaquetebotou He really was. Fantastic scores. My favorite Lynch movie is probably Lost Highway.

Awesome! Thanks for the feedback! And it's funny you should say that because lately I've been thinking: Why don't I explore melodic minor some more? It always gets lost between natural minor and harmonic minor. Stay tuned! Haha.

Tack så mycket! Have a great day!

Fun! If you end up recording anything, please come back and share it!

@@heitstrengningmusic ​ So, I played around a bit and kept coming back to the same idea... going back and forth between the 1 and 5 chords from the scale. In an ambient context, this is what I came up with: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-UdZ7nwVs1bg.html I did try writing a waltz using the scale. The problem I ran into was how much to use the scale, which was mostly a philosophical question. It's really good for the 1 and 5 chords (so perfect for a haunting cadence in a minor composition), but if I only use it for cadences does it "count"? I could use it for the motif and harmonize with chromatic chords, but does that "count"? What does it even mean to use a scale? I did write a waltz, but it wasn't particularly inspired... and I strayed outside the scale so much, it ended up just feeling like a minor composition with some chromaticism rather than something which really highlighted the Hungarian Minor. In any case, you can check out the ambient video if you want. It's only 5 minutes long. There is a loop underneath bouncing back and forth between the left and right speakers, and a guitar with a stereo delay going into a stereo reverb where only one of the outputs went into a distortion pedal. It was a fun experiment/challenge in any case.

@@thejontao I like the sound/feel of it! It definitely has a flavor. And I definitely hear you on the philosophical discussion. But the way I see it is: it's really not relevant what scale we're in other than as an academic exercise, and even then it seems ambiguous at times. I like to use scales to get ideas for melodies, chord changes and things I wouldn't otherwise think of, and for that, I find it useful to stick to the restrictions in order to not just go for what my ears are used to. I then take those weird discoveries and bring them back to my "normal" writing. I appreciate the back and forth btw, and happy new year!

Although from the way you described writing this song, it was more like making a predictable layout. I don't plan out or make a layout beforehand of a song. The times I did even on a small scale, it severely effected where the song could go. I generally go into a trance like state and improvise.

@@neaituppi7306 Yes in this case, for the sake of this video, I set it up more as a challenge. I don't normally write this way, but I think it's a cool way to come up with things you normally wouldn't. It's a great writing exercise! And doing it in the format of a video like this keeps me accountable, and doesn't allow me to venture off into safe territory like I maybe would otherwise. Thanks a lot for the comments btw! Have a wonderful day!

I love it! And I also love phrygian dominant haha, but who doesn't? Thanks for the comment! Have an awesome day!

I'm afraid I wouldn't know the answer to that!

Haha, now that you mention it, a miner's strike does sound like something that could be both unsettling and beautiful! I'm picturing a high budget Netflix drama with a lot of tragedy, heartbreak and heroics. Appreciate the comment and the hi-jacking! Have a great day.

Thank you! And thanks for the reminder! I've seen those years ago, but it's probably time to revisit that stuff. I remember feeling like a lot of that stuff went over my head back then. And also, he plays so fast, and so many notes, that it can be hard to take it all in haha.

@@heitstrengningmusic Most definitely, I've gone back over and over to those videos for that reason. The Beato Book he sells is even crazier with the super in-depth info. Signals Music Studio also did a great job on those topics but made them more understandable. He hasn't seemed to post in quite a while though. Then there's the infamous Ola the Swede who is out here like, "I don't know any of the theory but I chug" then whips out some crazy ass riffs lmao If I was more motivated I'd probably post more lesson based stuff myself. i.e. translate the Beato stuff into more digestible ways lmao

@@Terribleguitarist89 I have the Beato book too but haven't used it nearly as much as I should. I really agree about Signals Music Studio. He was a lot easier to follow than a lot of Rick's stuff for me, but I've learned a lot from both! Ola is such a fantastic metal guitarist! A true riff master. A true inspiration for all of us Swedes! That would be awesome. I would watch!

@@heitstrengningmusic I'm about three generations removed from Sweden (still have the blatantly Swede last name of Anstrom) but the amount of killer music from there tells me there's something in the water haha No matter if it's heavy or pop, the melodic aspect of the music is always amazing. I'm certainly overdue to make another trip to Gothenburg to visit family out that way.

@@Terribleguitarist89 I'm obviously biased but I agree. How can such a small country have such a huge impact on the world of music? Only John Lennon and Paul McCartney have more Billboard no. 1's as songwriters than Max Martin. Sweden is tied with Ireland for most Eurovision wins. ABBA is the best selling continental band out of Europe. Etc. etc. With a population similar to North Carolina. It's fascinating to me. That's so cool that you have family in Gothenburg that you stay in touch with!

Thank you!

That's fascinating actually. I love this about music! Thanks for the comment and have a great day!

I have to check that scale out! Thanks for telling me and have a great day!

Oh cool! Where can we hear it?

There's a lot about hungarian minor that feels weird to me haha. But I think it's similar to language where, the more you're around it and hear it, the more patterns and sounds you're able to make out, and slowly, it begins to feel less foreign. As an example, a lot of people seem to prefer the V to I resolution, but I've always preferred IV to I. I think it sounds better and more natural to my ears. I've had to train myself to hear that strong pull people talk about with V to I. It probably has to do with my musical vocabulary and what I listened to a lot growing up. Or maybe it's just down to taste :) Thank you for your thoughts!

@@heitstrengningmusic I don't really branch out musically, at least not with this eye on it, but I've learned that sometimes I don't like something and sometimes it really is just a different "musical vocabulary". If I don't get into it after a second or third try, so it goes. It's still important give those tries. That's what I enjoy about this video and your thoughts on music in general: you provide a comfortable zone to try a very specific idea. It's super helpful.

@@CollinGerberding Thank you for that! Really great feedback Collin and I agree that second or third chances can be greatly beneficial if the goal is to learn or hear new things. I've found that the things I don't like at first but come back to regardless, can sometimes be some of my absolute long-term favorites.

Sure does! The potential is amazing. Haha, "but in a good way." Are there no good scenes in Twilight?! I think the first movie at least has some nice pacific northwestian atmosphere to enjoy! But yeah, that's pretty much it I guess.

@@heitstrengningmusic Lots of people like to hate on Twilight and I get it because the writing is not great but I honestly enjoyed the first one, especially the visual shots of the forests and the creepy soundtrack

@@jacobopstad5483 I am with you. I like the first movie alright for its overall mood and atmosphere.

I can definitely see that! It should be perfect!

How did it go? And thank you kindly. Have a great day!

@@heitstrengningmusic Well it's given me a lot of ideas, but so far just creepy noises.

@@mortusdominus Do you like metal? I have another video on this scale that goes more into how to use it for metal if you'd be interested. It's called This Otherwordly Scale is Perfect for Eerie Heaviness.

I bet you're right, and there are probably great examples out there!

Kenose is an album of theirs? I put that one on at least and it sounds cool! Quite a bleak soundscape.

@@heitstrengningmusic Technically an EP, but it's one of the first things I heard by them.

Happy to hear it! Yeah, I think they are best utilized for specific sections, rather than whole songs. With the caveat that I'm talking from the perspective of being conditioned in the western tradition of music. Obviously.

Awesome! I love that about this scale. Thanks for the comment and I hope your day is going alright!

Makes me want to write a waltz specifically in this scale!

Happy you liked it, but sorry for giving you nightmares! If that's what you mean, that is. Either way, have a wonderful day!

Yes, Opeth use a lot of these intervals! Thanks for commenting, and have a great day!

Collin! Wow. So many thoughtful and thorough comments. Really appreciate the effort and the critique. I love self-defined boundaries to force a creative spark, especially since it usually amounts to something out of the (my) box. I have videos where I write a song using only one chord, as well as one where I make music with the "chord" you get if you strum all open strings on a guitar. I've learned a lot doing these! I really recommend trying it out to see what you come up with :)

@@heitstrengningmusic You are welcome. My goal is to gain a better understanding, give actual feedback, and let you, the creator know, I'm this level of engaged. I also kind of have zero chill, intellectually speaking. I really come at it from a very different approach. I'll think of a thing and make that the anchor and then branch out without bounds off it. I think that's why motivation pfts! pretty quickly sometimes, I get caught in too many possibilities. I've been considering actually working on a real project. I think you've already been very helpful and I thank you early for the help you have yet to offer.

@@CollinGerberding I love it! It's deeply appreciated. Especially since, as a small creator, I don't get a lot of feedback. Good or bad. I get what you mean. Arbitrary limitations can really help with that, because otherwise options really are endless and it's easy to become paralyzed or go in all directions at once. That's great. Really glad to have you onboard and I look forward to hear what you come up with in the future!

Hello there! Thanks for the comment. What part of the video is blowing your mind? I'm always super curious to hear about other perspectives on these things.

I appreciate this input! Interesting concepts to ponder. Thanks a lot for the comment and have a wonderful day!

Hi there! Thank you so much for the nice comment. Music production is so much fun! What's stopping you from starting today? Have an awesome day!

@@heitstrengningmusic Learning curve. If the UI is as complicated as Blender, I don't have time to learn it. It would be ideal if I could just synthesize waveforms with mathematical formulas and tweaking, or taken out of audio samples, and then just a nice way to put it together. I intend to make my own software in that regard in the future, but I have to finish my current project first sufficiently before I can make any software I'm proud of.

I like that! Haha. Thanks!

The austrian hungarian minor fell out of favor around 1867. Not really a thing anymore! Haha. Have a great day and thanks for the comment!

@@heitstrengningmusic yeppy,thxy,you got it!👍🎸🔊🎶🎵!

Cool! I am not familiar with them but I have to check this out now. Thanks for telling me!

@@heitstrengningmusic thanks

Do King Crimson use Hungarian minor a lot? One of my all time favorite songs is In the Court of the Crimson King but I'm not super familiar with their other songs. Haven't done my homework!

@@heitstrengningmusic I believe they used them more frequently between 1972-1974 on Larks' Tongues In Aspic , Red and Starless & Bible Black. However the earlier stuff has them on albums like Lizard. Bela Bartok was a big influence on Robert Fripp.

Thanks! I'm currently working on an album but unfortunately this song, or ideas from it, aren't featured. But maybe they should be?! Anywho, thanks a lot for the comment and have a great day!

I wasn't aware!

Haha! I also love its Opeth-esque quality.

I'll take that any day! I love Opeth. Thanks a lot for the comment! Have a wonderful day!

Not familiar with that game or soundtrack but it sounded cool! I wouldn't be surprised if there are a lot of minor tonalities with a flat five in there. Thanks for the comment and for checking out the video! Have an awesome day.

Not super familiar with much more than Reinkaos but thank you for the comment! Have a great day!

I agree that three songs would be even better! But like you say, the amount of work it would take would be too much at the moment. I struggle to put out videos as it is, and I'm trying to write an album. But thank you for the nice words! I do however have another video on this scale if you're interested in more. It's called This Otherwordly Scale is Perfect for Eerie Heaviness (super catchy title, I know).

@@heitstrengningmusic You had me at 'eerie heaviness'. 😁

I get it, and that's fair enough! Have a nice day!

I'll take it! Thanks for commenting and have an awesome day!

Thanks for giving it a chance at least! Have a great day!

Your attention span is way beyond ruined

Pretty sure that's objectively false, but fair enough if the video wasn't your cup of tea. I'm the first to admit I can always improve. Have a great day nonetheless!