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B♭ gypsy major scale on guitar
B♭ gypsy major contains B♭, C♭, D, E♭, F, G♭, and A. The low Box 1 root on the 5th string makes it a quick phrygian-dominant swap.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the B♭ gypsy major scale on guitar?
B♭ gypsy major in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 14 notes across 6 strings, from F on the low E string at fret 1 up to G♭ on the high e string at fret 2. The root falls on the A string at fret 1 and the G string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 2 | F, G♭ |
| 5 (A) | 1, 2 | B♭, C♭ |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 3, 4 | A, B♭, C♭ |
| 2 (B) | 3, 4 | D, E♭ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 2 | F, G♭ |
Box 2 · frets 6–9
B♭ gypsy major in box 2 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 14 notes across 6 strings, from B♭ on the low E string at fret 6 up to C♭ on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the low E string at fret 6, the D string at fret 8 and the high e string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 7 | B♭, C♭ |
| 5 (A) | 6, 8, 9 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 4 (D) | 7, 8, 9 | A, B♭, C♭ |
| 3 (G) | 7, 8 | D, E♭ |
| 2 (B) | 6, 7 | F, G♭ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 7 | B♭, C♭ |
Box 3 · frets 10–13
B♭ gypsy major in box 3 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 15 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to F on the high e string at fret 13. The root falls on the A string at fret 13 and the B string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 11, 13 | D, E♭, F |
| 5 (A) | 12, 13 | A, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 12, 13 | D, E♭ |
| 3 (G) | 10, 11 | F, G♭ |
| 2 (B) | 10, 11, 12 | A, B♭, C♭ |
| 1 (e) | 10, 11, 13 | D, E♭, F |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ gypsy major is B♭ phrygian dominant with the ♭7 raised to a major 7th. The scale keeps the ♭2, major 3rd, and ♭6, but the leading tone A replaces A♭. Compare it with B♭ phrygian dominant to hear the difference. The tritone between C♭ and F and the augmented fifth from B♭ to G♭ give the scale its tension.
When to use it
B♭ gypsy major fits B♭ major and B♭ 5th chords, especially in metal and flamenco. The ♭2 and ♭6 also work over B♭ major progressions that borrow from phrygian. Use it for dramatic runs or cadences resolving to B♭.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first; its root on the 5th string, 1st fret anchors the pattern and covers frets 1–4 for easy access to the ♭2 and major 7th.
Common questions
What notes are in B♭ gypsy major?
B♭ gypsy major uses B♭, C♭, D, E♭, F, G♭, and A. The scale has a minor 2nd, major 3rd, perfect 4th, perfect 5th, augmented 5th, and major 7th. It is also called Byzantine. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit B♭ gypsy major?
B♭ gypsy major works over B♭ major and B♭ 5th chords. The ♭2 and ♭6 create tension that resolves to the tonic. Try it over a B♭ drone for a Middle Eastern sound.
How does B♭ gypsy major differ from B♭ phrygian dominant?
B♭ gypsy major raises the ♭7 of B♭ phrygian dominant to a major 7th. This changes A♭ to A, creating a leading tone. The rest of the scale remains the same.