Explore scales · Ukulele
A hungarian gypsy scale on ukulele
A Hungarian Gypsy uses A, B, C, D♯, E, F, G. The ♯4 D♯ sits on the 2nd fret of string 4 in Box 1.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, ♯4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the A hungarian gypsy scale on ukulele?
A hungarian gypsy 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 2 and the A string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 3 (C) | 0, 3 | C, D♯ |
| 2 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
| 1 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
A hungarian gypsy in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 9 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the C string at fret 3 up to D♯ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the E string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4, 5 | B, C |
| 3 (C) | 3, 4, 5 | D♯, E, F |
| 2 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 1 (A) | 3, 6 | C, D♯ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
A hungarian gypsy in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F on the C string at fret 5 up to F on the A string at fret 8. The root falls on the E string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 8 | C, D♯ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 7 | F, G |
| 2 (E) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
| 1 (A) | 6, 7, 8 | D♯, E, F |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
A hungarian gypsy in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 10 notes across 4 strings, from G on the C string at fret 7 up to G on the A string at fret 10. The root falls on the C string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 9, 10 | D♯, E, F |
| 3 (C) | 7, 9 | G, A |
| 2 (E) | 7, 8 | B, C |
| 1 (A) | 7, 8, 10 | E, F, G |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
A hungarian gypsy in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 10 notes across 4 strings, from A on the C string at fret 9 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the C string at fret 9 and the A string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 10, 12 | E, F, G |
| 3 (C) | 9, 11, 12 | A, B, C |
| 2 (E) | 11, 12 | D♯, E |
| 1 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
Why it sounds like that
A Hungarian Gypsy raises the 4th of A natural minor to D♯, creating a diminished 5th from A and a minor 2nd from E. The scale keeps the minor 3rd C and minor 7th G, so it retains a dark minor quality. This alteration adds a tritone between A and D♯ and between B and F. Compare it with A natural minor.
When to use it
A Hungarian Gypsy fits A minor and A 5th chords. The ♯4 D♯ works over B 7th flat 5 and B 7th sharp 5. Use it for dark folk or Eastern European lines in A minor. Try it over A minor and B 7th flat 5.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root A on string 4, fret 2 and covers frets 0–3.
Common questions
What notes are in A Hungarian Gypsy?
A Hungarian Gypsy contains A, B, C, D♯, E, F, G. The scale has a minor 3rd and a raised 4th. It is a seven-note scale.
Which chords does A Hungarian Gypsy fit?
A Hungarian Gypsy fits A minor and A 5th chords. The ♯4 D♯ also works over B 7th flat 5 and B 7th sharp 5. Use it over minor progressions with a raised 4th.
Is A Hungarian Gypsy the same as A natural minor?
A Hungarian Gypsy raises the 4th of A natural minor from D to D♯. The other notes are the same. This creates a tritone between A and D♯.