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