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G gypsy minor scale on guitar
G gypsy minor uses G, A, B♭, D♭, D, E♭, F♯. Box 1 has the root on string 6, fret 3.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, ♭5, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the G gypsy minor scale on guitar?
G gypsy minor in box 1 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 15 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to B♭ on the high e string at fret 6. 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, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
| 5 (A) | 4, 5, 6 | D♭, D, E♭ |
| 4 (D) | 4, 5 | F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 3, 6 | B♭, D♭ |
| 2 (B) | 3, 4 | D, E♭ |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 5–8
G gypsy minor in box 2 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 14 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to B♭ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the D string at fret 5 and the B string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 6 | A, B♭ |
| 5 (A) | 5, 6 | D, E♭ |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 6, 7, 8 | D♭, D, E♭ |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8 | F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 6 | A, B♭ |
Box 3 · frets 9–12
G gypsy minor in box 3 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 15 notes across 6 strings, from D♭ on the low E string at fret 9 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) | 9, 10, 11 | D♭, D, E♭ |
| 5 (A) | 9, 10, 12 | F♯, G, A |
| 4 (D) | 11, 12 | D♭, D |
| 3 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 11 | A, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 9, 10, 11 | D♭, D, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 11–14
G gypsy minor in box 4 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 14 notes across 6 strings, from E♭ on the low E string at fret 11 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 14. The root falls on the G string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 14 | E♭, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 12, 13 | A, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 11, 12, 13 | D♭, D, E♭ |
| 3 (G) | 11, 12, 14 | F♯, G, A |
| 2 (B) | 11, 14 | B♭, D♭ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 14 | E♭, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
G gypsy minor is G harmonic minor with the fourth degree raised: C becomes D♭. The leap from B♭ to D♭ is 1½ steps. Compare with G harmonic minor to hear the change.
When to use it
Use G gypsy minor over G minor or G 5th chords. The ♭5 adds spice to G minor and G 5th. It suits Middle Eastern and flamenco styles.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root on string 6, fret 3 and covers frets 3–6, preparing for Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in G gypsy minor?
G, A, B♭, D♭, D, E♭, F♯. The fourth degree is flattened. The seventh is major.
Which chords fit G gypsy minor?
G minor and G 5th are the tonic chords. The flat fifth adds tension. Use it in minor-key contexts.
How does G gypsy minor differ from G harmonic minor?
G gypsy minor raises the fourth degree from C to D♭. This creates a 1½-step gap between B♭ and D♭. The rest of the scale matches G harmonic minor.