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E gypsy minor scale on guitar
E gypsy minor contains E, F♯, G, B♭, B, C, D♯. Box 1 has the root on string 4, fret 2.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, ♭5, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the E gypsy minor scale on guitar?
E gypsy minor 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 low E string at fret 0, the D string at fret 2 and the high e string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 1, 2, 3 | B♭, B, C |
| 4 (D) | 1, 2 | D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 3 | G, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 0, 1 | B, C |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
E gypsy minor in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 14 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the D string at fret 2 and the B string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 3 | F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 2, 3 | B, C |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 3, 4, 5 | B♭, B, C |
| 2 (B) | 4, 5 | D♯, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 3 | F♯, G |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
E gypsy minor in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 15 notes across 6 strings, from B♭ on the low E string at fret 6 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the A string at fret 7 and the G string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 7, 8 | B♭, B, C |
| 5 (A) | 6, 7, 9 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 8, 9 | B♭, B |
| 3 (G) | 8, 9 | D♯, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8 | F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 6, 7, 8 | B♭, B, C |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
E gypsy minor in box 4 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 11. The root falls on the G string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 11 | C, D♯ |
| 5 (A) | 9, 10 | F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 8, 9, 10 | B♭, B, C |
| 3 (G) | 8, 9, 11 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 8, 11 | G, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 11 | C, D♯ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
E gypsy minor in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 15 notes across 6 strings, from D♯ on the low E string at fret 11 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 14. The root falls on the low E string at fret 12, the D string at fret 14 and the high e string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 13, 14 | B♭, B |
| 4 (D) | 13, 14 | D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 11, 12, 13 | B♭, B, C |
| 1 (e) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
E gypsy minor is E harmonic minor with the fourth degree raised: A becomes B♭. The 1½-step gap between G and B♭ is characteristic. See E harmonic minor for the parent scale.
When to use it
Use E gypsy minor over E minor or E 5th chords. The ♭5 adds colour to E minor and E 5th. It fits Eastern European and rock styles.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root on string 4, fret 2 and covers frets 0–3, setting up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in E gypsy minor?
E, F♯, G, B♭, B, C, D♯. The fourth degree is flattened. The seventh is major.
Which chords fit E gypsy minor?
E minor and E 5th are the primary chords. The flat fifth creates tension. Use it in minor progressions.
What is the difference between E gypsy minor and E harmonic minor?
E gypsy minor raises the fourth degree from A to B♭. This creates a 1½-step gap between G and B♭. The rest of the scale matches E harmonic minor.