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