Explore scales · Guitar
D gypsy major scale on guitar
D gypsy major contains D, E♭, F♯, G, A, B♭, and C♯. Its Box 1 root on the 5th string, 5th fret gives a comfortable stretch for the augmented fifth.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the D gypsy major scale on guitar?
D gypsy major in box 1 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 15 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the A string at fret 5 and the B string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 5 (A) | 4, 5 | C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 4, 5 | F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 2, 3 | A, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 2, 3, 4 | C♯, D, E♭ |
| 1 (e) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
Box 2 · frets 5–8
D gypsy major in box 2 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 6. The root falls on the A string at fret 5 and the G string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 6 | A, B♭ |
| 5 (A) | 5, 6 | D, E♭ |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 6, 7, 8 | C♯, D, E♭ |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8 | F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 6 | A, B♭ |
Box 3 · frets 10–13
D gypsy major in box 3 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 14 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to E♭ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the low E string at fret 10, the D string at fret 12 and the high e string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 11 | D, E♭ |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12, 13 | G, A, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 11, 12, 13 | C♯, D, E♭ |
| 3 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 11 | A, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 10, 11 | D, E♭ |
Why it sounds like that
D gypsy major is D phrygian dominant with the ♭7 raised to a major 7th. The scale keeps the ♭2, major 3rd, and ♭6, but the leading tone C♯ replaces C. Compare it with D phrygian dominant to hear the difference. The tritone between E♭ and A and the augmented fifth from D to B♭ give the scale its tension.
When to use it
D gypsy major fits D major and D 5th chords, especially in metal and flamenco. The ♭2 and ♭6 also work over D major progressions that borrow from phrygian. Use it for dramatic runs or cadences resolving to D.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first; its root on the 5th string, 5th fret anchors the pattern and covers frets 2–5 for easy access to the ♭2 and major 7th.
Common questions
What notes are in D gypsy major?
D gypsy major uses D, E♭, F♯, G, A, B♭, and C♯. 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 D gypsy major?
D gypsy major works over D major and D 5th chords. The ♭2 and ♭6 create tension that resolves to the tonic. Try it over a D drone for a Middle Eastern sound.
How does D gypsy major differ from D phrygian dominant?
D gypsy major raises the ♭7 of D phrygian dominant to a major 7th. This changes C to C♯, creating a leading tone. The rest of the scale remains the same.