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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, 4th fret is ideal for mid-neck phrasing.
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 1 to fret 4, 15 notes across 6 strings, from E♯ on the low E string at fret 1 up to G♯ on the high e string at fret 4. The root falls on the A string at fret 4 and the B string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 2, 4 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 5 (A) | 3, 4 | B♯, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 3, 4 | E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 1, 2 | G♯, A |
| 2 (B) | 1, 2, 3 | B♯, C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 1, 2, 4 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
C♯ gypsy major in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 14 notes across 6 strings, from G♯ on the low E string at fret 4 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the A string at fret 4 and the G string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 5 | G♯, A |
| 5 (A) | 4, 5 | C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 3 (G) | 5, 6, 7 | B♯, C♯, D |
| 2 (B) | 6, 7 | E♯, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 5 | G♯, A |
Box 3 · frets 9–12
C♯ gypsy major in box 3 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 low E string at fret 9, the D string at fret 11 and the high e string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 10 | C♯, D |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11, 12 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 4 (D) | 10, 11, 12 | B♯, C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 10, 11 | E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 10 | G♯, A |
| 1 (e) | 9, 10 | 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, 4th fret anchors the pattern and covers frets 1–4 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. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
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.