Explore scales · Ukulele
B♭ gypsy minor scale on ukulele
B♭ gypsy minor runs B♭, C, D♭, F♭, F, G♭, A. Box 1 anchors the root on string 4, fret 3 for a low, dark start.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, ♭5, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the B♭ gypsy minor scale on ukulele?
B♭ gypsy minor 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 3 and the A string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2, 3 | A, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1 | C, D♭ |
| 2 (E) | 0, 1, 2 | F♭, F, G♭ |
| 1 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
B♭ gypsy minor in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 9 notes across 4 strings, from F♭ on the C string at fret 4 up to F♭ on the A string at fret 7. The root falls on the E string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 6 | C, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 4, 5, 6 | F♭, F, G♭ |
| 2 (E) | 5, 6 | A, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 4, 7 | D♭, F♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
B♭ gypsy minor in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 10 notes across 4 strings, from G♭ on the C string at fret 6 up to G♭ on the A string at fret 9. The root falls on the E string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 9 | D♭, F♭ |
| 3 (C) | 6, 9 | G♭, A |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8, 9 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 1 (A) | 7, 8, 9 | F♭, F, G♭ |
Why it sounds like that
Derive it from B♭ harmonic minor by lowering the fourth degree E♭ to F♭, producing a 1½-step interval between D♭ and F♭. The degrees are 1, 2, ♭3, ♭5, 5, ♭6, 7. This change adds a distinctive augmented-second colour. Compare with B♭ harmonic minor to hear the shift.
When to use it
B♭ gypsy minor suits B♭ minor or B♭ 5th chords in dark, dramatic passages. Use it over a B♭ minor vamp to bring out the augmented second. It works in gypsy jazz, metal, and film-score tension. The major seventh A leads strongly back to B♭.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root on string 4, fret 3 and covers frets 0–3, giving you a low position that connects easily to open chords.
Common questions
What notes are in B♭ gypsy minor?
The notes are B♭, C, D♭, F♭, F, G♭, and A. F♭ is the same pitch as E. The scale includes a flat third, flat fifth, and major seventh. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit B♭ gypsy minor?
B♭ gypsy minor fits B♭ minor and B♭ 5th chords. The scale has a minor third and perfect fifth, so it works over a minor tonic. The flat fifth adds a tense colour.
How is B♭ gypsy minor different from B♭ harmonic minor?
B♭ gypsy minor lowers the fourth degree from E♭ to F♭ compared to B♭ harmonic minor. This creates an augmented second between D♭ and F♭. The other notes remain the same.