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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, 2nd fret gives a low, dark version of the 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 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 low E string at fret 2, the D string at fret 4 and the high e string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 3 | F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4, 5 | B, C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 3, 4, 5 | E♯, F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 3, 4 | A♯, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 3 | C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 2, 3 | F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 6–9
F♯ gypsy major in box 2 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 15 notes across 6 strings, from A♯ on the low E string at fret 6 up to C♯ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the A string at fret 9 and the B string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 8, 9 | E♯, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 8, 9 | A♯, B |
| 3 (G) | 6, 7 | C♯, D |
| 2 (B) | 6, 7, 8 | E♯, F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
Box 3 · frets 9–12
F♯ gypsy major in box 3 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 14 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the A string at fret 9 and the G string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 10 | C♯, D |
| 5 (A) | 9, 10 | F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 10, 11, 12 | E♯, F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 11, 12 | A♯, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 10 | 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, 2nd fret anchors the pattern and covers frets 2–5 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. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
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.