Explore scales · Ukulele
A♭ gypsy major scale on ukulele
A♭ gypsy major uses A♭, B♭♭, C, D♭, E♭, F♭, G. The 1–5 Box 1 grip puts the root on string 4, fret 1.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the A♭ gypsy major scale on ukulele?
A♭ gypsy major in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 10 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the G string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 1, 2 | G, A♭, B♭♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1, 3 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 0, 3 | F♭, G |
| 1 (A) | 0, 3 | B♭♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
A♭ gypsy major in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 10 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the C string at fret 3 up to E♭ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the E string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 6 | C, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 4 | E♭, F♭ |
| 2 (E) | 3, 4, 5 | G, A♭, B♭♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 8–11
A♭ gypsy major in box 3 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 9 notes across 4 strings, from A♭ on the C string at fret 8 up to A♭ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the C string at fret 8 and the A string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 9 | E♭, F♭ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 9 | A♭, B♭♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 10, 11 | G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ gypsy major is built as A♭ phrygian dominant with the seventh raised from G♭ to G. The scale follows 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7. Its step pattern is H, 1½, H, W, H, 1½, H. Compare it with A♭ phrygian dominant.
When to use it
Use A♭ gypsy major over an A♭ major or A♭ 5th chord for a sharp ♭2 and ♭6 colour. It fits A♭, B♭♭, C, D♭, E♭, F♭, G harmony. Try it in Middle Eastern or fusion styles. See A♭ major and E♭ 7th flat 5.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root on string 4, fret 1 and covers frets 0–3, setting up the Box 2 shift.
Common questions
What notes are in A♭ gypsy major?
A♭, B♭♭, C, D♭, E♭, F♭, G. The scale has a major third and a raised seventh. It is also called Byzantine. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit A♭ gypsy major?
A♭ major and A♭ 5th work as tonic chords. E♭ 7th flat 5 fits the fifth degree. E augmented matches the ♭6.
How does A♭ gypsy major differ from A♭ phrygian dominant?
A♭ gypsy major raises the seventh from G♭ to G. This creates a leading tone to the tonic. The rest of the scale is identical.