Explore scales · Guitar
F gypsy major scale on guitar
F gypsy major contains F, G♭, A, B♭, C, D♭, and E. Its Box 1 root on the 6th string, 1st fret is the lowest possible position for this scale.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the F gypsy major scale on guitar?
F gypsy major in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 14 notes across 6 strings, from F on the low E string at fret 1 up to G♭ on the high e string at fret 2. The root falls on the low E string at fret 1, the D string at fret 3 and the high e string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 2 | F, G♭ |
| 5 (A) | 1, 3, 4 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 4 (D) | 2, 3, 4 | E, F, G♭ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 3 | A, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 2 | C, D♭ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 2 | F, G♭ |
Box 2 · frets 5–8
F gypsy major in box 2 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 15 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the A string at fret 8 and the B string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 5 (A) | 7, 8 | E, F |
| 4 (D) | 7, 8 | A, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 6 | C, D♭ |
| 2 (B) | 5, 6, 7 | E, F, G♭ |
| 1 (e) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
Box 3 · frets 8–11
F gypsy major in box 3 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 9. The root falls on the A string at fret 8 and the G string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 9 | C, D♭ |
| 5 (A) | 8, 9 | F, G♭ |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10, 11 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (G) | 9, 10, 11 | E, F, G♭ |
| 2 (B) | 10, 11 | A, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 9 | C, D♭ |
Why it sounds like that
F gypsy major is F phrygian dominant with the ♭7 raised to a major 7th. The scale keeps the ♭2, major 3rd, and ♭6, but the leading tone E replaces E♭. Compare it with F phrygian dominant to hear the difference. The tritone between G♭ and C and the augmented fifth from F to D♭ give the scale its tension.
When to use it
F gypsy major fits F major and F 5th chords, especially in metal and flamenco. The ♭2 and ♭6 also work over F major progressions that borrow from phrygian. Use it for dramatic runs or cadences resolving to F.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first; its root on the 6th string, 1st fret anchors the pattern and covers frets 1–4 for easy access to the ♭2 and major 7th.
Common questions
What notes are in F gypsy major?
F gypsy major uses F, G♭, A, B♭, C, D♭, and E. 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 F gypsy major?
F gypsy major works over F major and F 5th chords. The ♭2 and ♭6 create tension that resolves to the tonic. Try it over an F drone for a Middle Eastern sound.
How does F gypsy major differ from F phrygian dominant?
F gypsy major raises the ♭7 of F phrygian dominant to a major 7th. This changes E♭ to E, creating a leading tone. The rest of the scale remains the same.