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B gypsy major scale on guitar
B gypsy major contains B, C, D♯, E, F♯, G, and A♯. Its Box 1 shape sits high on the neck, so it is best for upper-register phrases.
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 0 to fret 3, 15 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 2 and the B string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 1, 2, 3 | A♯, B, C |
| 4 (D) | 1, 2 | D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 3 | G, A♯ |
| 2 (B) | 0, 1 | B, C |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
B gypsy major in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 14 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 2 and the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 3 | F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 2, 3 | B, C |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 3, 4, 5 | A♯, B, C |
| 2 (B) | 4, 5 | D♯, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 3 | F♯, G |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
B gypsy major 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 low E string at fret 7, the D string at fret 9 and the high e string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 8 | B, C |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9, 10 | E, F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 8, 9, 10 | A♯, B, C |
| 3 (G) | 8, 9 | D♯, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8 | F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 7, 8 | B, C |
Box 4 · frets 11–14
B gypsy major in box 4 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 15 notes across 6 strings, from D♯ on the low E string at fret 11 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 14. The root falls on the A string at fret 14 and the B string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 13, 14 | A♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 13, 14 | D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 11, 12, 13 | A♯, B, C |
| 1 (e) | 11, 12, 14 | 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, 2nd fret anchors the pattern and covers frets 0–3 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.
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.