C♯ gypsy minor scale on ukulele

C♯ gypsy minor runs C♯, D♯, E, G, G♯, A, B♯. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 1 for a compact start.

Positions on the neck1 of 4

How it is built

C♯1D♯2E♭3G♭5G♯5A♭6B♯7

Formula 1, 2, ♭3, ♭5, 5, ♭6, 7

How do you play the C♯ gypsy minor scale on ukulele?

C♯ gypsy minor 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 C string at fret 1 and the A string at fret 4.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (G)	1, 2	G♯, A
3 (C)	1, 3, 4	C♯, D♯, E
2 (E)	3, 4	G, G♯
1 (A)	3, 4	B♯, C♯

Box 2 · frets 3–6

C♯ gypsy minor 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 6 and the A string at fret 4.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (G)	5, 6	B♯, C♯
3 (C)	3, 4	D♯, E
2 (E)	3, 4, 5	G, G♯, A
1 (A)	3, 4, 6	B♯, C♯, D♯

Box 3 · frets 7–10

C♯ gypsy minor in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 9 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 9.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (G)	8, 9	D♯, E
3 (C)	7, 8, 9	G, G♯, A
2 (E)	8, 9	B♯, C♯
1 (A)	7, 10	E, G

Box 4 · frets 9–12

C♯ gypsy minor 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 E string at fret 9.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (G)	9, 12	E, G
3 (C)	9, 12	A, B♯
2 (E)	9, 11, 12	C♯, D♯, E
1 (A)	10, 11, 12	G, G♯, A

Why it sounds like that

Form it from C♯ harmonic minor by lowering the fourth degree F♯ to G, creating a 1½-step gap between E and G. The scale degrees are 1, 2, ♭3, ♭5, 5, ♭6, 7. This alteration yields the signature augmented-second leap. Compare with C♯ harmonic minor to hear the difference.

When to use it

C♯ gypsy minor works over C♯ minor or C♯ 5th chords for an exotic, tense sound. Use it over a C♯ minor vamp to highlight the augmented second. It fits progressive metal, fusion, and Middle Eastern–flavoured lines. The major seventh B♯ resolves strongly to C♯.

Which position to practise

Learn Box 1 first. It places the root on string 3, fret 1 and covers frets 1–4, which is good for developing finger independence in the low register.

Common questions

What notes are in C♯ gypsy minor?

The notes are C♯, D♯, E, G, G♯, A, and B♯. B♯ is the same pitch as C. The scale has a minor third, flat fifth, and major seventh. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.

Which chords fit C♯ gypsy minor?

C♯ gypsy minor fits C♯ minor and C♯ 5th chords. The scale contains a minor third and perfect fifth, so it works over a minor tonic. The flat fifth adds tension.

How is C♯ gypsy minor different from C♯ harmonic minor?

C♯ gypsy minor lowers the fourth degree from F♯ to G compared to C♯ harmonic minor. This creates an augmented second between E and G. The rest of the notes are identical.