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E hungarian gypsy scale on guitar
E Hungarian Gypsy contains E, F♯, G, A♯, B, C, D. Box 1 places the root on D string fret 2 and B string fret 5.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, ♯4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the E hungarian gypsy scale on guitar?
E hungarian gypsy in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 16 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 | A♯, B, C |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 3 | G, A♯ |
| 2 (B) | 0, 1, 3 | B, C, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
E hungarian gypsy in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 15 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, 5 | B, C, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 3, 4, 5 | A♯, B, C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5 | D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 3 | F♯, G |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
E hungarian gypsy in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 14 notes across 6 strings, from A♯ 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 | A♯, B, C |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 8, 9 | A♯, B |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8 | F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 6, 7, 8 | A♯, B, C |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
E hungarian gypsy in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 13 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the G string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 5 (A) | 9, 10 | F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 8, 9, 10 | A♯, B, C |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 8, 11 | G, A♯ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 10 | C, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
E hungarian gypsy in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 13 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the low E string at fret 12 and the high e string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 5 (A) | 10, 13 | G, A♯ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 3 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 11, 12, 13 | A♯, B, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12 | D, E |
Why it sounds like that
Raise the fourth of E natural minor from A to A♯ and you get this scale. The interval from G to A♯ spans three semitones, then A♯ to B is a half-step. See E natural minor for the unaltered form.
When to use it
Play it over E minor or E 5th for a brooding, eastern feel. The ♯4 works well in E minor progressions. It fits dark folk, metal, and cinematic music. Try it over E 5th for a drone.
Which position to practise
Start with Box 1. The root sits on the fourth and second strings, making it easy to visualise the scale shape.
Common questions
What notes are in E Hungarian Gypsy?
E, F♯, G, A♯, B, C, D. The scale has a raised fourth and a minor third. It is a seven-note scale.
Which chords fit E Hungarian Gypsy?
E minor and E 5th are the most common. The ♯4 creates tension over minor chords. Use it for a dark, exotic sound.
Why is the fourth written as A♯?
The raised fourth from A becomes A♯, not B♭. This keeps the scale spelling consistent with one note per letter name. It sounds the same as B♭ but is written differently.