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B♭ hungarian gypsy scale on ukulele
B♭ Hungarian Gypsy uses B♭, C, D♭, E, F, G♭, A♭. The wide D♭–E gap makes Box 2 the easiest place to see the pattern.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, ♯4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the B♭ hungarian gypsy scale on ukulele?
B♭ hungarian gypsy in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 9 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) | 1, 3 | A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1 | C, D♭ |
| 2 (E) | 0, 1, 2 | E, F, G♭ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
B♭ hungarian gypsy in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 9 notes across 4 strings, from E on the C string at fret 4 up to E 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 | E, F, G♭ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 4, 7 | D♭, E |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
B♭ hungarian gypsy 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♭, E |
| 3 (C) | 6, 8 | G♭, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8, 9 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 1 (A) | 7, 8, 9 | E, F, G♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
B♭ hungarian gypsy in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 10 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 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 10, 11 | E, F, G♭ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 10 | A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9 | C, D♭ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 9, 11 | F, G♭, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ Hungarian Gypsy is B♭ natural minor with the fourth degree raised from E♭ to E. That creates an augmented second between D♭ and E, the scale's signature interval. The flat third, flat sixth, and flat seventh remain unchanged. See the difference in B♭ natural minor.
When to use it
B♭ Hungarian Gypsy works over B♭ minor or B♭ 5th chords when you want a sharper fourth. The E natural pulls toward F, so use it before resolving to the fifth. It suits klezmer or dramatic film cues. Try it over B♭ minor or B♭ 5th.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 2 first. Its root on string 4, fret 3 and string 2, fret 6 covers frets 4–7 and keeps the augmented second under your fingers.
Common questions
What is the alternate name for B♭ Hungarian Gypsy?
Use whichever spelling fits the music. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chord works best with B♭ Hungarian Gypsy?
B♭ minor is the most stable choice because it contains B♭, D♭, and F. The scale adds E natural as a passing tone. Avoid holding the E over the chord for too long.
Why is there a three-fret gap between D♭ and E?
The interval is an augmented second, equal to three frets. It comes from raising the fourth degree of natural minor. This gap gives the scale its Hungarian Gypsy character.