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