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F hungarian gypsy scale on bass guitar
F Hungarian Gypsy scale contains F, G, A♭, B, C, D♭, E♭. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 1 and string 2, fret 3.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, ♯4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the F hungarian gypsy scale on bass?
F hungarian gypsy 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 B 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 | B, C, D♭ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 1 (G) | 1, 4 | A♭, B |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
F hungarian gypsy in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 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, 6 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | F, G, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 4, 5, 6 | B, C, D♭ |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
F hungarian gypsy in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 9 notes across 4 strings, from B 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 | B, C, D♭ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
| 2 (D) | 9, 10 | B, C |
| 1 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
F hungarian gypsy in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 9 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, 11 | D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (A) | 10, 11 | G, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 9, 10, 11 | B, C, D♭ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
F hungarian gypsy in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 8 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the E string at fret 11 up to A♭ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the E string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 13 | E♭, F |
| 3 (A) | 11, 14 | A♭, B |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13 | D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 12, 13 | G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
F Hungarian Gypsy scale is F natural minor with the fourth degree raised from B♭ to B. Compare it to F natural minor. The raised fourth creates a diminished fifth from the root and an augmented fifth from the second degree.
When to use it
F Hungarian Gypsy scale fits F minor and F 5th chords. Use it in F minor progressions that include C major or C7. The raised fourth suits Eastern European folk and fusion lines.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 4, fret 1, and the pattern covers frets 1–4. This box keeps the B natural within reach on string 3, fret 2.
Common questions
What notes are in F Hungarian Gypsy scale?
F Hungarian Gypsy scale contains F, G, A♭, B, C, D♭, and E♭. The degrees are 1, 2, ♭3, ♯4, 5, ♭6, and ♭7. The ♯4 is the characteristic raised fourth.
Which chords does F Hungarian Gypsy scale fit?
F Hungarian Gypsy scale fits F minor and F 5th chords. The ♯4 (B) can also outline a C major or C7 chord. Use it over progressions in F minor that include C major.
Is F Hungarian Gypsy scale the same as F natural minor?
F Hungarian Gypsy scale differs from F natural minor by one note: the fourth degree is raised from B♭ to B. This creates a diminished fifth from the root and an augmented fifth from the second degree.