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C♯ hungarian gypsy scale on guitar
C♯ Hungarian Gypsy uses C♯, D♯, E, F♯♯, G♯, A, B. The ♯4 F♯♯ gives this scale its characteristic bite.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, ♯4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the C♯ hungarian gypsy scale on guitar?
C♯ hungarian gypsy 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 F♯♯ 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, F♯♯ |
| 5 (A) | 0, 2 | A, B |
| 4 (D) | 1, 2 | D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 1, 2 | F♯♯, G♯, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 3 | E, F♯♯ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C♯ hungarian gypsy in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 14 notes across 6 strings, from F♯♯ 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 | F♯♯, G♯, A |
| 5 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
| 4 (D) | 5, 6 | F♯♯, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 5 | D♯, E |
| 1 (e) | 3, 4, 5 | F♯♯, G♯, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
C♯ 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 G string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 5 (A) | 6, 7 | D♯, E |
| 4 (D) | 5, 6, 7 | F♯♯, G♯, A |
| 3 (G) | 6, 8 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (B) | 5, 8 | E, F♯♯ |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7 | A, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
C♯ hungarian gypsy in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 13 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to C♯ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the low E string at fret 9 and the high e string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 7, 10 | E, F♯♯ |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 3 (G) | 8, 9 | D♯, E |
| 2 (B) | 8, 9, 10 | F♯♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
C♯ hungarian gypsy in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 16 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 | F♯♯, G♯, A |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 9, 12 | E, F♯♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 10, 12 | G♯, A, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
C♯ hungarian gypsy in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 15 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, 14 | G♯, A, B |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 12, 13, 14 | F♯♯, G♯, A |
| 2 (B) | 12, 14 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 12 | D♯, E |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ Hungarian Gypsy is C♯ natural minor with a raised 4th, F♯♯ instead of F♯. The scale contains a tritone between C♯ and F♯♯, and no leading tone. Compare it with C♯ natural minor to hear the difference.
When to use it
C♯ Hungarian Gypsy fits C♯ minor and C♯ 5th chords. Use it over C♯ minor progressions for a Gypsy jazz or Eastern European feel. The ♯4 adds tension over C♯ 5th.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first; its roots on strings 5, 3, and 2 anchor the low, middle, and high registers.
Common questions
What notes are in C♯ Hungarian Gypsy?
C♯ Hungarian Gypsy contains C♯, D♯, E, F♯♯, G♯, A, and B. The scale has a ♯4 and ♭6. It is spelled 1, 2, ♭3, ♯4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does C♯ Hungarian Gypsy work over?
C♯ Hungarian Gypsy works over C♯ minor and C♯ 5th chords. The ♯4 adds a distinctive colour. Use it with C♯ minor progressions.
What is the difference between C♯ Hungarian Gypsy and C♯ natural minor?
C♯ Hungarian Gypsy raises the 4th degree from F♯ to F♯♯. C♯ natural minor uses F♯. This change creates the scale's characteristic augmented second between E and F♯♯.