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