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B hungarian gypsy scale on guitar
B Hungarian Gypsy uses B, C♯, D, E♯, F♯, G, A. Box 1 places the root on A string fret 2 and G string fret 4.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, ♯4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the B hungarian gypsy scale on guitar?
B hungarian gypsy in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 14 notes across 6 strings, from E♯ 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 | E♯, F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 3, 4 | E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 3 | C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 1, 2, 3 | E♯, F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
B hungarian gypsy in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 13 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 5 (A) | 4, 5 | C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 3, 4, 5 | E♯, F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 3, 6 | D, E♯ |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5 | G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
B hungarian gypsy in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 13 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the low E string at fret 7 and the high e string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 5 (A) | 5, 8 | D, E♯ |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 3 (G) | 6, 7 | C♯, D |
| 2 (B) | 6, 7, 8 | E♯, F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7 | A, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
B hungarian gypsy in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 16 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 | E♯, F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 3 (G) | 7, 10 | D, E♯ |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8, 10 | F♯, G, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
B hungarian gypsy in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 15 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, 12 | F♯, G, A |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 10, 11, 12 | E♯, F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12 | A, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 10 | C♯, D |
Why it sounds like that
Take B natural minor and raise the fourth from E to E♯. That gives a 1½-step from D to E♯ and a half-step from E♯ to F♯. Compare with B natural minor to hear the change.
When to use it
Use it over B minor or B 5th for a tense, eastern colour. The ♯4 adds bite to B minor vamps. It suits Hungarian folk, metal, and fusion lines. Try it over B 5th for a raw drone.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root on the fifth and third strings, anchoring the scale in the lowest frets.
Common questions
What notes are in B Hungarian Gypsy?
B, C♯, D, E♯, F♯, G, A. The scale has a raised fourth and a minor third. It is a seven-note scale.
Which chords fit B Hungarian Gypsy?
B minor and B 5th are the most common. The ♯4 creates tension over minor chords. Use it for a dark, exotic sound.
Why is the fourth written as E♯?
The raised fourth from E becomes E♯, not F. This keeps the scale spelling consistent with one note per letter name. It sounds the same as F but is written differently.