6th mode of Hungarian Minor, aka, Einsteinian Mode.
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   I discovered this little system while in World Music Cultures class at Humber College. While talking about scales and modes used by ethnic groups in Eastern Europe, the Hungarian Minor Scale popped up.
   The Hungarian Minor Scale is basically a Harmonic Minor Scale with a raised 4. Its interval spelling is 1, 2, b3, #4, 5, b6, 7. Note the Chromaticism around the 5th. Some interesting stuff happens when you harmonize this scale in thirds.
   When Harmonizing this scale starting from the 6th, I noticed an entire universe of chord scale possibilities. Intervalically from the 6th degree of Hungarian Minor we have, 1, #2,  3, #4,  5, #6,  7. I know what you're saying "Sharp 6!! Where'd this guy go to school? U of T?"
   The universe expands at an ever increasing rate when you look at possible enharmonic equivalents.
We have...

  1. Root
  2. #2 which is also a b3.......and........
  3. Maj 3rd. This scale can be Major or Minor or in between (Blue notes)
  4. #4 or b5, a lydianesque or diminished tonality, depending on use of the third
  5. A fifth, some stable ground and a power chord if you are so inclined
  6. #6, equivalent to a b7. Dominant territory
  7. Maj 7th. Can also be used as a passing tone, giving the scale the ability to be Dominant or Major

Compare the scale tones that are present in commonly used chords in the west

  1. Major 7
  2. Major 7b5 (Maj 7 #11)
  3. Major 7,#11, #9 (not so common)
  4. Dom 7
  5. Dom 7b5
  6. Dom 7#9
  7. min 7
  8. min7b5 (half diminished)
  9. min Maj7

   I'm sure there are for more, I leave that for you to explore.
   It can also be thought of as a Major 7th arpeggio with a Chromatic Approach Note placed beneath each chord tone.
   As you can see, the chord scale possibilites are almost unlimited. This scale can function in the context of Tonic, Sub Dominant, Sub Dominant Minor, Dominant, Altered Dominant and Diminished, with Altered being M.I.A. Although, it does contain 5 out of the six scale tones found in the Augmented scale, which is spelled 1, #2, 3, 5, b6, 7.
   It's almost a "unified chord/scale theory". Almost, which is why I dubbed this meaty beauty the Einsteinian Mode.
   Drop me a line if you make any more discoveries with this thing.
rousejeremy@hotmail.com
  
  
  

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