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G gypsy major scale on guitar
G gypsy major contains G, A♭, B, C, D, E♭, and F♯. Its Box 1 root on the 6th string, 3rd fret is a common position for rock and metal lines.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the G gypsy major scale on guitar?
G gypsy major in box 1 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 14 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to A♭ on the high e string at fret 4. The root falls on the low E string at fret 3, the D string at fret 5 and the high e string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 4 | G, A♭ |
| 5 (A) | 3, 5, 6 | C, D, E♭ |
| 4 (D) | 4, 5, 6 | F♯, G, A♭ |
| 3 (G) | 4, 5 | B, C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 4 | D, E♭ |
| 1 (e) | 3, 4 | G, A♭ |
Box 2 · frets 7–10
G gypsy major in box 2 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 15 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the A string at fret 10 and the B string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
| 5 (A) | 9, 10 | F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 9, 10 | B, C |
| 3 (G) | 7, 8 | D, E♭ |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8, 9 | F♯, G, A♭ |
| 1 (e) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
Box 3 · frets 10–13
G gypsy major in box 3 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 11. The root falls on the A string at fret 10 and the G string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 11 | D, E♭ |
| 5 (A) | 10, 11 | G, A♭ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 3 (G) | 11, 12, 13 | F♯, G, A♭ |
| 2 (B) | 12, 13 | B, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 11 | D, E♭ |
Why it sounds like that
G gypsy major is G phrygian dominant with the ♭7 raised to a major 7th. The scale keeps the ♭2, major 3rd, and ♭6, but the leading tone F♯ replaces F. Compare it with G phrygian dominant to hear the difference. The tritone between A♭ and D and the augmented fifth from G to E♭ give the scale its tension.
When to use it
G gypsy major fits G major and G 5th chords, especially in metal and flamenco. The ♭2 and ♭6 also work over G major progressions that borrow from phrygian. Use it for dramatic runs or cadences resolving to G.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first; its root on the 6th string, 3rd fret anchors the pattern and covers frets 3–6 for easy access to the ♭2 and major 7th.
Common questions
What notes are in G gypsy major?
G gypsy major uses G, A♭, B, C, D, E♭, and F♯. 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 G gypsy major?
G gypsy major works over G major and G 5th chords. The ♭2 and ♭6 create tension that resolves to the tonic. Try it over a G drone for a Middle Eastern sound.
How does G gypsy major differ from G phrygian dominant?
G gypsy major raises the ♭7 of G phrygian dominant to a major 7th. This changes F to F♯, creating a leading tone. The rest of the scale remains the same.