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C♯ hungarian gypsy scale on bass guitar
C♯ Hungarian Gypsy scale contains C♯, D♯, E, F♯♯, G♯, A, B. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 4 and string 1, fret 6.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, ♯4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the C♯ hungarian gypsy scale on bass?
C♯ 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 A on the G string at fret 2. No root falls inside this box; it sits between two of them.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 3 | E, F♯♯ |
| 3 (A) | 0, 2 | A, B |
| 2 (D) | 1, 2 | D♯, E |
| 1 (G) | 0, 1, 2 | F♯♯, G♯, A |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C♯ hungarian gypsy in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 9 notes across 4 strings, from F♯♯ on the E string at fret 3 up to C♯ on the G string at fret 6. The root falls on the A string at fret 4 and the G string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 4, 5 | F♯♯, G♯, A |
| 3 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (D) | 5, 6 | F♯♯, G♯ |
| 1 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
C♯ hungarian gypsy in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 9 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to D♯ on the G string at fret 8. The root falls on the G string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 3 (A) | 6, 7 | D♯, E |
| 2 (D) | 5, 6, 7 | F♯♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (G) | 6, 8 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
C♯ hungarian gypsy in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 8 notes across 4 strings, from B on the E string at fret 7 up to E on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the E string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (A) | 7, 10 | E, F♯♯ |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 1 (G) | 8, 9 | D♯, E |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
C♯ hungarian gypsy in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 10 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the E string at fret 9 up to F♯♯ on the G string at fret 12. The root falls on the E string at fret 9 and the D string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 3 (A) | 10, 11, 12 | F♯♯, G♯, A |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 9, 12 | E, F♯♯ |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
C♯ hungarian gypsy in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 11 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the E string at fret 11 up to A on the G string at fret 14. The root falls on the D string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 12 | D♯, E |
| 3 (A) | 11, 12, 14 | G♯, A, B |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 1 (G) | 12, 13, 14 | F♯♯, G♯, A |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ Hungarian Gypsy scale is C♯ natural minor with the fourth degree raised from F♯ to F♯♯. Compare it to C♯ natural minor. The raised fourth creates a diminished fifth from the root and an augmented fifth from the second degree.
When to use it
C♯ Hungarian Gypsy scale fits C♯ minor and C♯ 5th chords. Use it in C♯ minor progressions that include G♯ major or G♯7. 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 4, and the pattern covers frets 0–3. This box keeps the F♯♯ within reach on string 2, fret 6.
Common questions
What notes are in C♯ Hungarian Gypsy scale?
C♯ Hungarian Gypsy scale contains C♯, D♯, E, F♯♯, G♯, A, and B. The degrees are 1, 2, ♭3, ♯4, 5, ♭6, and ♭7. The ♯4 is the characteristic raised fourth. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does C♯ Hungarian Gypsy scale fit?
C♯ Hungarian Gypsy scale fits C♯ minor and C♯ 5th chords. The ♯4 (F♯♯) can also outline a G♯ major or G♯7 chord. Use it over progressions in C♯ minor that include G♯ major.
Is C♯ Hungarian Gypsy scale the same as C♯ natural minor?
C♯ Hungarian Gypsy scale differs from C♯ natural minor by one note: the fourth degree is raised from F♯ to F♯♯. This creates a diminished fifth from the root and an augmented fifth from the second degree.