Explore scales · Bass
D gypsy minor scale on bass guitar
D gypsy minor contains D, E, F, A♭, A, B♭, C♯. Its Box 1 root on string 3, fret 5 sits mid-neck for easy shifts.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, ♭5, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the D gypsy minor scale on bass?
D gypsy minor 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 D string at fret 0.
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 | A♭, A, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
D 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 A string at fret 5 and the G string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 5, 6 | A♭, A, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 4, 5, 7 | C♯, D, E |
| 2 (D) | 6, 7 | A♭, A |
| 1 (G) | 6, 7 | C♯, D |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
D 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 E on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the G string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 9 | B♭, C♯ |
| 3 (A) | 7, 8 | E, F |
| 2 (D) | 6, 7, 8 | A♭, A, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 6, 7, 9 | C♯, D, E |
Box 4 · frets 10–13
D 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 E string at fret 10 and the D string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 12, 13 | D, E, F |
| 3 (A) | 11, 12, 13 | A♭, A, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 11, 12 | C♯, D |
| 1 (G) | 10, 13 | F, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
D gypsy minor raises the fourth of D harmonic minor to A♭, creating a ♭5 and an augmented second between F and A♭. The major seventh C♯ remains for a strong leading tone. Compare it with D harmonic minor to hear the altered fourth.
When to use it
Use D gypsy minor over D minor and D 5th chords for a dark, exotic color. The ♭5 A♭ works over E 7th flat 5, and the major seventh C♯ fits F augmented. It suits Eastern European and Middle Eastern styles.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 3, fret 5, covering frets 0–3 and setting up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in D gypsy minor?
The notes are D, E, F, A♭, A, B♭, C♯. It has a ♭3, ♭5, and major 7. The ♭5 creates an augmented second with the ♭3.
Which chords fit D gypsy minor?
D minor and D 5th are the tonic chords. E 7th flat 5 uses the ♭5, and F augmented uses the ♭3 and ♯5. The major 7 C♯ fits C♯ major and C♯ minor.
How does D gypsy minor differ from D harmonic minor?
D gypsy minor raises the fourth degree to A♭. This creates a ♭5 and an augmented second between F and A♭. The rest of the scale matches D harmonic minor.