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B♭ hungarian gypsy scale on bass guitar
B♭ Hungarian Gypsy scale contains B♭, C, D♭, E, F, G♭, A♭. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 1 and string 1, fret 3.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, ♯4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the B♭ hungarian gypsy scale on bass?
B♭ hungarian gypsy in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 9 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 1 and the G string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 1, 2 | E, F, G♭ |
| 3 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
| 2 (D) | 2, 3 | E, F |
| 1 (G) | 1, 3 | A♭, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
B♭ hungarian gypsy in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 9 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, 4 | G♭, A♭ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 4 | C, D♭ |
| 2 (D) | 2, 3, 4 | E, F, G♭ |
| 1 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
B♭ hungarian gypsy in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 8 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 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 4, 7 | D♭, E |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6 | G♭, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 5, 6 | C, D♭ |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
B♭ hungarian gypsy in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 10 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the E string at fret 6 up to E 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 | E, F, G♭ |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 6, 9 | D♭, E |
Box 5 · frets 8–11
B♭ hungarian gypsy in box 5 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 11 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, 11 | F, G♭, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10, 11 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 1 (G) | 9, 10, 11 | E, F, G♭ |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ Hungarian Gypsy scale is B♭ natural minor with the fourth degree raised from E♭ to E. Compare it to B♭ natural minor. The raised fourth creates a diminished fifth from the root and an augmented fifth from the second degree.
When to use it
B♭ Hungarian Gypsy scale fits B♭ minor and B♭ 5th chords. Use it in B♭ minor progressions that include F major or F7. The raised fourth suits Eastern European folk and fusion lines.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 3, fret 1, and the pattern covers frets 0–3. This box keeps the E natural within reach on string 2, fret 2.
Common questions
What notes are in B♭ Hungarian Gypsy scale?
B♭ Hungarian Gypsy scale contains B♭, C, D♭, E, F, G♭, and A♭. The degrees are 1, 2, ♭3, ♯4, 5, ♭6, and ♭7. The ♯4 is the characteristic raised fourth. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does B♭ Hungarian Gypsy scale fit?
B♭ Hungarian Gypsy scale fits B♭ minor and B♭ 5th chords. The ♯4 (E) can also outline an F major or F7 chord. Use it over progressions in B♭ minor that include F major.
Is B♭ Hungarian Gypsy scale the same as B♭ natural minor?
B♭ Hungarian Gypsy scale differs from B♭ natural minor by one note: the fourth degree is raised from E♭ to E. This creates a diminished fifth from the root and an augmented fifth from the second degree.