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C gypsy major scale on guitar
C gypsy major contains C, D♭, E, F, G, A♭, and B. Its Box 1 root on the 5th string, 3rd fret keeps the pattern compact for quick runs.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the C gypsy major scale on guitar?
C 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 3 and the B string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
| 5 (A) | 2, 3 | B, C |
| 4 (D) | 2, 3 | E, F |
| 3 (G) | 0, 1 | G, A♭ |
| 2 (B) | 0, 1, 2 | B, C, D♭ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C gypsy major 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 4. The root falls on the A string at fret 3 and the G string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 4 | G, A♭ |
| 5 (A) | 3, 4 | C, D♭ |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | F, G, A♭ |
| 3 (G) | 4, 5, 6 | B, C, D♭ |
| 2 (B) | 5, 6 | E, F |
| 1 (e) | 3, 4 | G, A♭ |
Box 3 · frets 8–11
C gypsy major in box 3 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 14 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to D♭ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the low E string at fret 8, the D string at fret 10 and the high e string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 9 | C, D♭ |
| 5 (A) | 8, 10, 11 | F, G, A♭ |
| 4 (D) | 9, 10, 11 | B, C, D♭ |
| 3 (G) | 9, 10 | E, F |
| 2 (B) | 8, 9 | G, A♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 9 | C, D♭ |
Why it sounds like that
C gypsy major is C phrygian dominant with the ♭7 raised to a major 7th. The scale keeps the ♭2, major 3rd, and ♭6, but the leading tone B replaces B♭. Compare it with C phrygian dominant to hear the difference. The tritone between D♭ and G and the augmented fifth from C to A♭ give the scale its tension.
When to use it
C gypsy major fits C major and C 5th chords, especially in metal and flamenco. The ♭2 and ♭6 also work over C major progressions that borrow from phrygian. Use it for dramatic runs or cadences resolving to C.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first; its root on the 5th string, 3rd fret anchors the pattern and covers frets 0–3 for easy access to the ♭2 and major 7th.
Common questions
What notes are in C gypsy major?
C gypsy major uses C, D♭, E, F, G, A♭, and B. 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 C gypsy major?
C gypsy major works over C major and C 5th chords. The ♭2 and ♭6 create tension that resolves to the tonic. Try it over a C drone for a Middle Eastern sound.
How does C gypsy major differ from C phrygian dominant?
C gypsy major raises the ♭7 of C phrygian dominant to a major 7th. This changes B♭ to B, creating a leading tone. The rest of the scale remains the same.