Explore scales · Bass
F♯ gypsy minor scale on bass guitar
F♯ gypsy minor contains F♯, G♯, A, C, C♯, D, E♯. Its Box 1 root on string 4, fret 2 starts just above the nut.
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 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 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, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 3 (A) | 3, 4, 5 | C, C♯, D |
| 2 (D) | 3, 4 | E♯, F♯ |
| 1 (G) | 2, 5 | A, C |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
F♯ gypsy minor in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 10 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the E string at fret 4 up to D on the G string at fret 7. The root falls on the D string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 5 | G♯, A |
| 3 (A) | 4, 5 | C♯, D |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (G) | 5, 6, 7 | C, C♯, D |
Box 3 · frets 8–11
F♯ gypsy minor in box 3 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 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) | 8, 9, 10 | C, C♯, D |
| 3 (A) | 8, 9, 11 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 11 | C, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 11 | E♯, F♯ |
Box 4 · frets 10–13
F♯ gypsy minor in box 4 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 10 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to G♯ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the G string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 13 | D, E♯ |
| 3 (A) | 11, 12 | G♯, A |
| 2 (D) | 10, 11, 12 | C, C♯, D |
| 1 (G) | 10, 11, 13 | 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 A♭ 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 2, covering frets 2–5 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. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit F♯ gypsy minor?
F♯ minor and F♯ 5th are the tonic chords. A♭ 7th flat 5 uses the ♭5, and A augmented uses the ♭3 and ♯5. The major 7 E♯ fits F major and F 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.