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