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A gypsy minor scale on guitar
A gypsy minor uses A, B, C, E♭, E, F, G♯. Box 1 keeps the root on the sixth string, fifth fret for easy access.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, ♭5, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the A gypsy minor scale on guitar?
A gypsy minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 14 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to F on the high e string at fret 1. The root falls on the A string at fret 0 and the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 1 | E, F |
| 5 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
| 4 (D) | 1, 2, 3 | E♭, E, F |
| 3 (G) | 1, 2 | G♯, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 1 | B, C |
| 1 (e) | 0, 1 | E, F |
Box 2 · frets 5–8
A gypsy minor in box 2 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 15 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5, the D string at fret 7 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
| 5 (A) | 6, 7, 8 | E♭, E, F |
| 4 (D) | 6, 7 | G♯, A |
| 3 (G) | 5, 8 | C, E♭ |
| 2 (B) | 5, 6 | E, F |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
A gypsy minor in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 14 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the D string at fret 7 and the B string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 8 | B, C |
| 5 (A) | 7, 8 | E, F |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 3 (G) | 8, 9, 10 | E♭, E, F |
| 2 (B) | 9, 10 | G♯, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 8 | B, C |
Box 4 · frets 11–14
A gypsy minor in box 4 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 15 notes across 6 strings, from E♭ on the low E string at fret 11 up to F on the high e string at fret 13. The root falls on the A string at fret 12 and the G string at fret 14.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 12, 13 | E♭, E, F |
| 5 (A) | 11, 12, 14 | G♯, A, B |
| 4 (D) | 13, 14 | E♭, E |
| 3 (G) | 13, 14 | G♯, A |
| 2 (B) | 12, 13 | B, C |
| 1 (e) | 11, 12, 13 | E♭, E, F |
Why it sounds like that
A gypsy minor is A harmonic minor with the fourth degree raised: D becomes E♭. This creates a 1½-step leap from C to E♭ and a distinctive ♭5. Compare it with A harmonic minor to hear the difference.
When to use it
Use A gypsy minor over A minor or A 5th chords. The ♭5 adds tension over A minor and A 5th. It suits Eastern European and Romani styles.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root on string 6, fret 5 and covers frets 0–3, setting up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in A gypsy minor?
A, B, C, E♭, E, F, G♯. The scale has a minor third and a flat fifth. The seventh is major.
Which chords fit A gypsy minor?
A minor and A 5th work as tonic chords. The flat fifth adds tension over these chords. Use it in minor-key progressions.
How does A gypsy minor differ from A harmonic minor?
A gypsy minor raises the fourth degree from D to E♭. This creates a 1½-step gap between C and E♭. The rest of the scale matches A harmonic minor.