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