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G hungarian gypsy scale on guitar
G Hungarian Gypsy uses G, A, B♭, C♯, D, E♭, F. Box 1 places the root on low E fret 3 and D string fret 5.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, ♯4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the G hungarian gypsy scale on guitar?
G hungarian gypsy in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 13 notes across 6 strings, from F on the low E string at fret 1 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the low E string at fret 3 and the high e string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 5 (A) | 1, 4 | B♭, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 3 (G) | 2, 3 | A, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 2, 3, 4 | C♯, D, E♭ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 3 | F, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
G hungarian gypsy in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 16 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 | C♯, D, E♭ |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 3 (G) | 3, 6 | B♭, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 3, 4, 6 | D, E♭, F |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
G hungarian gypsy in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 15 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, 8 | D, E♭, F |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 6, 7, 8 | C♯, D, E♭ |
| 2 (B) | 6, 8 | F, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 6 | A, B♭ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
G hungarian gypsy in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 14 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ 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 | C♯, D, E♭ |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
| 4 (D) | 11, 12 | C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 11 | A, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 9, 10, 11 | C♯, D, E♭ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
G hungarian gypsy in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 13 notes across 6 strings, from E♭ on the low E string at fret 11 up to F on the high e string at fret 13. The root falls on the G string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 13 | E♭, F |
| 5 (A) | 12, 13 | A, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 11, 12, 13 | C♯, D, E♭ |
| 3 (G) | 12, 14 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 11, 14 | B♭, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 13 | E♭, F |
Why it sounds like that
Take G natural minor and raise the fourth from C to C♯. That gives a 1½-step from B♭ to C♯ and a half-step from C♯ to D. Compare with G natural minor to hear the change.
When to use it
Use it over G minor or G 5th for a tense, eastern colour. The ♯4 adds bite to G minor vamps. It suits Hungarian folk, metal, and fusion lines. Try it over G 5th for a raw drone.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root on the sixth and fourth strings, anchoring the scale in the lowest frets.
Common questions
What notes are in G Hungarian Gypsy?
G, A, B♭, C♯, D, E♭, F. The scale has a raised fourth and a minor third. It is a seven-note scale.
Which chords fit G Hungarian Gypsy?
G minor and G 5th are the most common. The ♯4 creates tension over minor chords. Use it for a dark, exotic sound.
How does the C♯ affect the scale?
The C♯ creates a wide leap from B♭ and a half-step to D. This gives the scale its distinctive eastern flavour. It is the only note that differs from natural minor.