Explore scales · Bass
E♭ hungarian gypsy scale on bass guitar
E♭ Hungarian Gypsy scale contains E♭, F, G♭, A, B♭, C♭, D♭. Box 1 places the root on string 2, fret 1.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, ♯4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the E♭ hungarian gypsy scale on bass?
E♭ hungarian gypsy in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 11 notes across 4 strings, from F on the E string at fret 1 up to C♭ on the G string at fret 4. The root falls on the D string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 2 | F, G♭ |
| 3 (A) | 1, 2, 4 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 1 (G) | 2, 3, 4 | A, B♭, C♭ |
Box 2 · frets 5–8
E♭ hungarian gypsy in box 2 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 9 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to E♭ on the G string at fret 8. The root falls on the A string at fret 6 and the G string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 6, 7 | A, B♭, C♭ |
| 3 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
| 2 (D) | 7, 8 | A, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 6, 8 | D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
E♭ hungarian gypsy in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 9 notes across 4 strings, from C♭ on the E string at fret 7 up to F on the G string at fret 10. The root falls on the G string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 9 | C♭, D♭ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 9 | F, G♭ |
| 2 (D) | 7, 8, 9 | A, B♭, C♭ |
| 1 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
E♭ hungarian gypsy in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 8 notes across 4 strings, from D♭ on the E string at fret 9 up to G♭ on the G string at fret 11. The root falls on the E string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 11 | D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (A) | 9, 12 | G♭, A |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11 | C♭, D♭ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 11 | F, G♭ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
E♭ hungarian gypsy in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 10 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the E string at fret 11 up to A on the G string at fret 14. The root falls on the E string at fret 11 and the D string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 13, 14 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 3 (A) | 12, 13, 14 | A, B♭, C♭ |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13 | D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 11, 14 | G♭, A |
Why it sounds like that
E♭ Hungarian Gypsy scale is E♭ natural minor with the fourth degree raised from A♭ to A. Compare it to E♭ natural minor. The raised fourth creates a diminished fifth from the root and an augmented fifth from the second degree.
When to use it
E♭ Hungarian Gypsy scale fits E♭ minor and E♭ 5th chords. Use it in E♭ minor progressions that include B♭ major or B♭7. The raised fourth suits Eastern European folk and fusion lines.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 2, fret 1, and the pattern covers frets 1–4. This box keeps the A natural within reach on string 1, fret 2.
Common questions
What notes are in E♭ Hungarian Gypsy scale?
E♭ Hungarian Gypsy scale contains E♭, F, G♭, A, B♭, C♭, and D♭. 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 E♭ Hungarian Gypsy scale fit?
E♭ Hungarian Gypsy scale fits E♭ minor and E♭ 5th chords. The ♯4 (A) can also outline a B♭ major or B♭7 chord. Use it over progressions in E♭ minor that include B♭ major.
Is E♭ Hungarian Gypsy scale the same as E♭ natural minor?
E♭ Hungarian Gypsy scale differs from E♭ natural minor by one note: the fourth degree is raised from A♭ to A. This creates a diminished fifth from the root and an augmented fifth from the second degree.