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A gypsy major scale on bass guitar
A gypsy major uses A, B♭, C♯, D, E, F, G♯. Box 1 puts the root at string 4, fret 5 for a compact low-position run.
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, 10 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to B♭ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 0 and the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 1 | E, F |
| 3 (A) | 0, 1 | A, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2, 3 | D, E, F |
| 1 (G) | 1, 2, 3 | G♯, A, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 5–8
A gypsy major in box 2 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 10 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to D on the G string at fret 7. The root falls on the E string at fret 5 and the D string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 6 | A, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 5, 7, 8 | D, E, F |
| 2 (D) | 6, 7, 8 | G♯, A, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 6, 7 | C♯, D |
Box 3 · frets 9–12
A gypsy major in box 3 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 9 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the E string at fret 9 up to F on the G string at fret 10. The root falls on the A string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 3 (A) | 11, 12 | G♯, A |
| 2 (D) | 11, 12 | C♯, D |
| 1 (G) | 9, 10 | E, F |
Why it sounds like that
A gypsy major is built from A phrygian dominant by raising the seventh degree G to G♯. This creates a leading tone and a distinctive augmented second between F and G♯. Compare it with A phrygian dominant to hear the difference. The scale contains the intervals 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7.
When to use it
Use A gypsy major over A major or A 5th chords for a Middle Eastern flavor. It fits the tonic in A major progressions and works over A major or A 5th. The ♭2 and ♭6 add tension suitable for fusion or metal.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first: the root sits on string 4, fret 5, and the pattern stays within frets 0–3. It covers the low register and sets up Box 2 at fret 3.
Common questions
What notes are in A gypsy major?
The notes are A, B♭, C♯, D, E, F, and G♯. The scale has a flat second, major third, perfect fourth, perfect fifth, flat sixth, and major seventh. It is also called Byzantine.
Which chords fit A gypsy major?
The tonic chord is A major or A 5th. The scale also works over the fifth degree E 7th flat 5. Use it when you want a dominant sound with a ♭2 and ♭6.
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 makes the scale resolve more strongly to the tonic. The rest of the notes are identical.