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C gypsy minor scale on bass guitar
C gypsy minor contains C, D, E♭, G♭, G, A♭, B. Its Box 1 root on string 3, fret 3 opens the scale in first position.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, ♭5, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the C gypsy minor scale on bass?
C gypsy minor in box 1 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 A string at fret 3 and the G string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 3, 4 | G♭, G, A♭ |
| 3 (A) | 2, 3, 5 | B, C, D |
| 2 (D) | 4, 5 | G♭, G |
| 1 (G) | 4, 5 | B, C |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
C gypsy minor 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 7. The root falls on the G string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 7 | A♭, B |
| 3 (A) | 5, 6 | D, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 4, 5, 6 | G♭, G, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 4, 5, 7 | B, C, D |
Box 3 · frets 8–11
C gypsy minor in box 3 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 E string at fret 8 and the D string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 10, 11 | C, D, E♭ |
| 3 (A) | 9, 10, 11 | G♭, G, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 9, 10 | B, C |
| 1 (G) | 8, 11 | E♭, G♭ |
Box 4 · frets 10–13
C gypsy minor in box 4 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 10 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to A♭ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the D string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 11 | D, E♭ |
| 3 (A) | 10, 11 | G, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 11, 12, 13 | G♭, G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
C gypsy minor raises the fourth of C harmonic minor to G♭, creating a ♭5 and an augmented second between E♭ and G♭. The major seventh B remains for a strong leading tone. Compare it with C harmonic minor to hear the altered fourth.
When to use it
Use C gypsy minor over C minor and C 5th chords for a dark, exotic color. The ♭5 G♭ works over D 7th flat 5, and the major seventh B fits E♭ augmented. It suits Eastern European and Middle Eastern styles.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 3, fret 3, covering frets 2–5 and setting up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in C gypsy minor?
The notes are C, D, E♭, G♭, G, A♭, B. It has a ♭3, ♭5, and major 7. The ♭5 creates an augmented second with the ♭3.
Which chords fit C gypsy minor?
C minor and C 5th are the tonic chords. D 7th flat 5 uses the ♭5, and E♭ augmented uses the ♭3 and ♯5. The major 7 B fits B major and B minor.
How does C gypsy minor differ from C harmonic minor?
C gypsy minor raises the fourth degree to G♭. This creates a ♭5 and an augmented second between E♭ and G♭. The rest of the scale matches C harmonic minor.