Explore scales · Guitar
F♯ hungarian gypsy scale on guitar
F♯ Hungarian Gypsy uses F♯, G♯, A, B♯, C♯, D, E. The raised 4th B♯ gives this scale its characteristic bite.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, ♯4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the F♯ hungarian gypsy scale on guitar?
F♯ hungarian gypsy in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 13 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 2. The root falls on the low E string at fret 2 and the high e string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 0, 3 | A, B♯ |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 1, 2 | G♯, A |
| 2 (B) | 1, 2, 3 | B♯, C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
F♯ hungarian gypsy in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 16 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 | B♯, C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 5 | A, B♯ |
| 2 (B) | 2, 3, 5 | C♯, D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
F♯ hungarian gypsy in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 15 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, 7 | C♯, D, E |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 3 (G) | 5, 6, 7 | B♯, C♯, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 5 | G♯, A |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
F♯ hungarian gypsy in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 14 notes across 6 strings, from B♯ 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 | B♯, C♯, D |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 11 | B♯, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 10 | G♯, A |
| 1 (e) | 8, 9, 10 | B♯, C♯, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
F♯ 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 G string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 5 (A) | 11, 12 | G♯, A |
| 4 (D) | 10, 11, 12 | B♯, C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 10, 13 | A, B♯ |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12 | D, E |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ Hungarian Gypsy is F♯ natural minor with a raised 4th, B♯ instead of B. The scale contains a tritone between F♯ and B♯, and no leading tone. Compare it with F♯ natural minor to hear the difference.
When to use it
F♯ Hungarian Gypsy fits F♯ minor and F♯ 5th chords. Use it over F♯ minor progressions for a Gypsy jazz or Eastern European feel. The ♯4 adds tension over F♯ 5th.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first; its roots on strings 6, 4, and 1 anchor the low, middle, and high registers.
Common questions
What notes are in F♯ Hungarian Gypsy?
F♯ Hungarian Gypsy contains F♯, G♯, A, B♯, C♯, D, and E. The scale has a ♯4 and ♭6. It is spelled 1, 2, ♭3, ♯4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does F♯ Hungarian Gypsy work over?
F♯ Hungarian Gypsy works over F♯ minor and F♯ 5th chords. The ♯4 adds a distinctive colour. Use it with F♯ minor progressions.
What is the difference between F♯ Hungarian Gypsy and F♯ natural minor?
F♯ Hungarian Gypsy raises the 4th degree from B to B♯. F♯ natural minor uses B. This change creates the scale's characteristic augmented second between A and B♯.