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A♭ gypsy major scale on bass guitar
A♭ gypsy major uses A♭, B♭♭, C, D♭, E♭, F♭, G. Box 2 places the root at string 4, fret 4 for a mid-neck position.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the A♭ gypsy major scale on bass?
A♭ gypsy major in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 9 notes across 4 strings, from F♭ on the E string at fret 0 up to B♭♭ on the G string at fret 2. The root falls on the G string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 3 | F♭, G |
| 3 (A) | 0, 3 | B♭♭, C |
| 2 (D) | 1, 2 | E♭, F♭ |
| 1 (G) | 0, 1, 2 | G, A♭, B♭♭ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
A♭ gypsy major in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 10 notes across 4 strings, from A♭ on the E string at fret 4 up to D♭ on the G string at fret 6. The root falls on the E string at fret 4 and the D string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 5 | A♭, B♭♭ |
| 3 (A) | 4, 6, 7 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
| 2 (D) | 5, 6, 7 | G, A♭, B♭♭ |
| 1 (G) | 5, 6 | C, D♭ |
Box 3 · frets 8–11
A♭ gypsy major in box 3 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 9 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to F♭ on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the A string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (A) | 10, 11 | G, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 11 | C, D♭ |
| 1 (G) | 8, 9 | E♭, F♭ |
Box 4 · frets 11–14
A♭ gypsy major in box 4 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 10 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the E string at fret 11 up to B♭♭ on the G string at fret 14. The root falls on the A string at fret 11 and the G string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 12 | E♭, F♭ |
| 3 (A) | 11, 12 | A♭, B♭♭ |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
| 1 (G) | 12, 13, 14 | G, A♭, B♭♭ |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ gypsy major is formed from A♭ phrygian dominant by raising the seventh degree G♭ to G. This introduces a leading tone and an augmented second between F♭ and G. See A♭ phrygian dominant for the base scale. The formula is 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7.
When to use it
A♭ gypsy major fits over A♭ major or A♭ 5th chords. It suits aggressive styles like metal and progressive rock. Use it with A♭ major or A♭ 5th for a dark, exotic sound.
Which position to practise
Start with Box 2: the root is on string 4, fret 4, and the pattern covers frets 4–7. It offers a comfortable mid-neck position and sets up Box 3.
Common questions
What notes are in A♭ gypsy major?
The notes are A♭, B♭♭, C, D♭, E♭, F♭, and G. It has a flat second, major third, perfect fourth, perfect fifth, flat sixth, and major seventh. The scale is also known as Byzantine. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit A♭ gypsy major?
The tonic chord is A♭ major or A♭ 5th. The fifth degree chord is E♭ 7th flat 5. Use it over dominant sounds in A♭.
How is A♭ gypsy major different from A♭ phrygian dominant?
A♭ gypsy major has a major seventh, G, while A♭ phrygian dominant has a minor seventh, G♭. That single change gives a stronger pull to the tonic. The rest of the notes are identical.