Explore scales · Bass
E gypsy minor scale on bass guitar
E gypsy minor contains E, F♯, G, B♭, B, C, D♯. Its Box 1 root on string 2, fret 2 suits open-string bass lines.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, ♭5, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the E gypsy minor scale on bass?
E 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 E string at fret 0 and the D string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (A) | 1, 2, 3 | B♭, B, C |
| 2 (D) | 1, 2 | D♯, E |
| 1 (G) | 0, 3 | G, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
E gypsy minor in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the E string at fret 2 up to C on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the D string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 3 | F♯, G |
| 3 (A) | 2, 3 | B, C |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (G) | 3, 4, 5 | B♭, B, C |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
E 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 A string at fret 7 and the G string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 7, 8 | B♭, B, C |
| 3 (A) | 6, 7, 9 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 9 | B♭, B |
| 1 (G) | 8, 9 | D♯, E |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
E gypsy minor in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 10 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to F♯ on the G string at fret 11. The root falls on the G string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 11 | C, D♯ |
| 3 (A) | 9, 10 | F♯, G |
| 2 (D) | 8, 9, 10 | B♭, B, C |
| 1 (G) | 8, 9, 11 | D♯, E, F♯ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
E gypsy minor in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 9 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the E string at fret 11 up to G on the G string at fret 12. The root falls on the E string at fret 12 and the D string at fret 14.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 13, 14 | B♭, B |
| 2 (D) | 13, 14 | D♯, E |
| 1 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
Why it sounds like that
E gypsy minor raises the fourth of E harmonic minor to B♭, creating a ♭5 and an augmented second between G and B♭. The major seventh D♯ remains for a strong leading tone. Compare it with E harmonic minor to hear the altered fourth.
When to use it
Use E gypsy minor over E minor and E 5th chords for a dark, exotic color. The ♭5 B♭ works over F♯ 7th flat 5, and the major seventh D♯ fits G augmented. It suits Eastern European and Middle Eastern styles.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 2, fret 2, covering frets 0–3 and setting up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in E gypsy minor?
The notes are E, F♯, G, B♭, B, C, D♯. It has a ♭3, ♭5, and major 7. The ♭5 creates an augmented second with the ♭3.
Which chords fit E gypsy minor?
E minor and E 5th are the tonic chords. F♯ 7th flat 5 uses the ♭5, and G augmented uses the ♭3 and ♯5. The major 7 D♯ fits E♭ major and E♭ minor.
How does E gypsy minor differ from E harmonic minor?
E gypsy minor raises the fourth degree to B♭. This creates a ♭5 and an augmented second between G and B♭. The rest of the scale matches E harmonic minor.