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C♯ gypsy minor scale on guitar
C♯ gypsy minor uses C♯, D♯, E, G, G♯, A, B♯. Box 1 has the root on string 5, fret 4.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, ♭5, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the C♯ gypsy minor scale on guitar?
C♯ gypsy minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 13 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 B string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 3 | E, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 3 | A, B♯ |
| 4 (D) | 1, 2 | D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 1, 2 | G, G♯, A |
| 2 (B) | 1, 2 | B♯, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 3 | E, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C♯ gypsy minor in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 15 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 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) | 3, 4, 5 | G, G♯, A |
| 5 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | B♯, C♯, D♯ |
| 4 (D) | 5, 6 | G, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 6 | B♯, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 5 | D♯, E |
| 1 (e) | 3, 4, 5 | G, G♯, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
C♯ gypsy minor in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 14 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to B♯ on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the G string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 8 | A, B♯ |
| 5 (A) | 6, 7 | D♯, E |
| 4 (D) | 5, 6, 7 | G, G♯, A |
| 3 (G) | 5, 6, 8 | B♯, C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (B) | 5, 8 | E, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 8 | A, B♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
C♯ gypsy minor in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 15 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. 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, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 5 (A) | 10, 11, 12 | G, G♯, A |
| 4 (D) | 10, 11 | B♯, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 9, 12 | E, G |
| 2 (B) | 9, 10 | G♯, A |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
C♯ gypsy minor in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 14 notes across 6 strings, from D♯ on the low E string at fret 11 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the D string at fret 11 and the B string at fret 14.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 12 | D♯, E |
| 5 (A) | 11, 12 | G♯, A |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 12, 13, 14 | G, G♯, A |
| 2 (B) | 13, 14 | B♯, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 12 | D♯, E |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ gypsy minor is C♯ harmonic minor with the fourth degree raised: F♯ becomes G. The leap from E to G is 1½ steps. Compare with C♯ harmonic minor to hear the difference.
When to use it
Use C♯ gypsy minor over C♯ minor or C♯ 5th chords. The ♭5 adds spice to C♯ minor and C♯ 5th. It suits Middle Eastern and metal styles.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root on string 5, fret 4 and covers frets 0–3, preparing for Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in C♯ gypsy minor?
C♯, D♯, E, G, G♯, A, B♯. The fourth degree is raised. The seventh is major. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit C♯ gypsy minor?
C♯ minor and C♯ 5th are the tonic chords. The flat fifth adds tension. Use it in minor-key contexts.
How does C♯ gypsy minor differ from C♯ harmonic minor?
C♯ gypsy minor raises the fourth degree from F♯ to G. This creates a 1½-step gap between E and G. The rest of the scale matches C♯ harmonic minor.