D Gypsy Minor Scale on Ukulele: Notes, Positions

How it is built

D1E2F♭3A♭♭5A5B♭♭6C♯7

Formula 1, 2, ♭3, ♭5, 5, ♭6, 7

Chords these notes build

How do you play the D gypsy minor scale on ukulele?

D gypsy minor in box 1 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 9 notes across 4 strings, from D on the C string at fret 2 up to D on the A string at fret 5. The root falls on the C string at fret 2 and the A string at fret 5.

Every note in this box, string by string

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

Box 2 · frets 4–7

D gypsy minor in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 10 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 G string at fret 7 and the A string at fret 5.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (G)	6, 7	C♯, D
3 (C)	4, 5	E, F
2 (E)	4, 5, 6	A♭, A, B♭
1 (A)	4, 5, 7	C♯, D, E

Box 3 · frets 8–11

D gypsy minor in box 3 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 9 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 E string at fret 10.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (G)	9, 10	E, F
3 (C)	8, 9, 10	A♭, A, B♭
2 (E)	9, 10	C♯, D
1 (A)	8, 11	F, A♭

Why it sounds like that

Derive it from D harmonic minor by lowering the fourth degree G to A♭, which creates a 1½-step interval between F and A♭. The degrees are 1, 2, ♭3, ♭5, 5, ♭6, 7. This change produces the characteristic augmented-second colour. Compare with D harmonic minor to hear the shift.

When to use it

D gypsy minor suits D minor or D 5th chords in dark, dramatic passages. Use it over a D minor vamp to bring out the augmented second. It works in gypsy jazz, metal, and film-score tension. The major seventh C♯ leads strongly back to D.

Which position to practise

Practise Box 1 first. It places the root on string 3, fret 2 and covers frets 2–5, giving you a low position that connects easily to open chords.

Common questions

What notes are in D gypsy minor?

The notes are D, E, F, A♭, A, B♭, and C♯. The scale has a minor third, flat fifth, and major seventh. These intervals create its distinctive sound.

Which chords fit D gypsy minor?

D gypsy minor fits D minor and D 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 D gypsy minor different from D harmonic minor?

D gypsy minor lowers the fourth degree from G to A♭ compared to D harmonic minor. This creates an augmented second between F and A♭. The other notes remain the same.