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F♯ gypsy major scale on bass guitar
F♯ gypsy major uses F♯, G, A♯, B, C♯, D, E♯. Box 1 places the root at string 4, fret 2 for a low position.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the F♯ gypsy major scale on bass?
F♯ gypsy major in box 1 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the E string at fret 2 up to B on the G string at fret 4. The root falls on the E string at fret 2 and the D string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 3 | F♯, G |
| 3 (A) | 2, 4, 5 | B, C♯, D |
| 2 (D) | 3, 4, 5 | E♯, F♯, G |
| 1 (G) | 3, 4 | A♯, B |
Box 2 · frets 6–9
F♯ gypsy major in box 2 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 9 notes across 4 strings, from A♯ on the E string at fret 6 up to D on the G string at fret 7. The root falls on the A string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 9 | E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 9 | A♯, B |
| 1 (G) | 6, 7 | C♯, D |
Box 3 · frets 9–12
F♯ gypsy major in box 3 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 10 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the E string at fret 9 up to G on the G string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 9 and the G string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 10 | C♯, D |
| 3 (A) | 9, 10 | F♯, G |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (G) | 10, 11, 12 | E♯, F♯, G |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ gypsy major comes from F♯ phrygian dominant by raising the seventh degree E to E♯. This creates a leading tone and an augmented second between D and E♯. See F♯ phrygian dominant for the base scale. The formula is 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7.
When to use it
F♯ gypsy major fits over F♯ major or F♯ 5th chords. It is useful in jazz and fusion for its altered dominant sound. Try it over F♯ major or F♯ 5th progressions.
Which position to practise
Start with Box 1: the root is on string 4, fret 2, and the pattern covers frets 2–5. It offers a low-register position and sets up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in F♯ gypsy major?
The notes are F♯, G, A♯, B, C♯, D, and E♯. It has a flat second, major third, perfect fourth, perfect fifth, flat sixth, and major seventh. The scale is also known as Byzantine. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit F♯ gypsy major?
The tonic chord is F♯ major or F♯ 5th. The fifth degree chord is C♯ 7th flat 5. Use it over dominant sounds in F♯.
How is F♯ gypsy major different from F♯ phrygian dominant?
F♯ gypsy major has a major seventh, E♯, while F♯ phrygian dominant has a minor seventh, E. That single change gives a stronger pull to the tonic. The rest of the notes are identical.