Explore scales · Bass
B♭ gypsy minor scale on bass guitar
B♭ gypsy minor contains B♭, C, D♭, F♭, F, G♭, A. Its low Box 1 root on string 3, fret 1 keeps the scale tight.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, ♭5, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the B♭ gypsy minor scale on bass?
B♭ gypsy minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F♭ 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 1 and the G string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 1, 2 | F♭, F, G♭ |
| 3 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
| 2 (D) | 2, 3 | F♭, F |
| 1 (G) | 2, 3 | A, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
B♭ gypsy minor in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 10 notes across 4 strings, from G♭ on the E string at fret 2 up to C on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the G string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 5 | G♭, A |
| 3 (A) | 3, 4 | C, D♭ |
| 2 (D) | 2, 3, 4 | F♭, F, G♭ |
| 1 (G) | 2, 3, 5 | A, B♭, C |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
B♭ gypsy minor in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 10 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the E string at fret 6 up to F♭ on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the E string at fret 6 and the D string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 8, 9 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (A) | 7, 8, 9 | F♭, F, G♭ |
| 2 (D) | 7, 8 | A, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 6, 9 | D♭, F♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
B♭ gypsy minor in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 10 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to G♭ on the G string at fret 11. The root falls on the D string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 9 | C, D♭ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 9 | F, G♭ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10, 11 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 1 (G) | 9, 10, 11 | F♭, F, G♭ |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ gypsy minor lowers the fourth of B♭ harmonic minor to F♭, producing a ♭5 and an augmented second between D♭ and F♭. The major seventh A remains for a strong leading tone. Compare it with B♭ harmonic minor to hear the altered fourth.
When to use it
Use B♭ gypsy minor over B♭ minor and B♭ 5th chords for a dark, exotic color. The ♭5 F♭ works over C 7th flat 5, and the major seventh A fits C♯ augmented. It suits Eastern European and Middle Eastern styles.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 3, fret 1, covering frets 0–3 and setting up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in B♭ gypsy minor?
The notes are B♭, C, D♭, F♭, F, G♭, A. It has a ♭3, ♭5, and major 7. The ♭5 creates an augmented second with the ♭3. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit B♭ gypsy minor?
B♭ minor and B♭ 5th are the tonic chords. C 7th flat 5 uses the ♭5, and C♯ augmented uses the ♭3 and ♯5. The major 7 A fits A major and A minor.
How does B♭ gypsy minor differ from B♭ harmonic minor?
B♭ gypsy minor lowers the fourth degree to F♭. This creates a ♭5 and an augmented second between D♭ and F♭. The rest of the scale matches B♭ harmonic minor.