Explore scales · Ukulele
E♭ gypsy major scale on ukulele
E♭ gypsy major uses E♭, F♭, G, A♭, B♭, C♭, D. The 1–5 Box 1 grip puts the root on string 3, fret 3.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the E♭ gypsy major scale on ukulele?
E♭ gypsy major in box 1 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 9 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the C string at fret 3 up to E♭ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the C string at fret 3 and the A string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 4 | B♭, C♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 4 | E♭, F♭ |
| 2 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 5, 6 | D, E♭ |
Box 2 · frets 7–10
E♭ gypsy major in box 2 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 G string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7, 8, 9 | D, E♭, F♭ |
| 3 (C) | 7, 8, 10 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 7, 10 | C♭, D |
| 1 (A) | 7, 10 | F♭, G |
Box 3 · frets 10–12
E♭ gypsy major in box 3 runs from fret 10 to fret 12, 8 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the C string at fret 10 up to A♭ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the E string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 12 | G |
| 3 (C) | 10, 11 | B♭, C♭ |
| 2 (E) | 10, 11, 12 | D, E♭, F♭ |
| 1 (A) | 10, 11 | G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
E♭ gypsy major is built as E♭ phrygian dominant with the seventh raised from D♭ to D. The scale follows 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7. Its step pattern is H, 1½, H, W, H, 1½, H. Compare it with E♭ phrygian dominant.
When to use it
Use E♭ gypsy major over an E♭ major or E♭ 5th chord for a sharp ♭2 and ♭6 colour. It fits E♭, F♭, G, A♭, B♭, C♭, D harmony. Try it in Middle Eastern or fusion styles. See E♭ major and B♭ 7th flat 5.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root on string 3, fret 3 and covers frets 3–6, setting up the Box 2 shift.
Common questions
What notes are in E♭ gypsy major?
E♭, F♭, G, A♭, B♭, C♭, D. The scale has a major third and a raised seventh. It is also called Byzantine. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit E♭ gypsy major?
E♭ major and E♭ 5th work as tonic chords. B♭ 7th flat 5 fits the fifth degree. B augmented matches the ♭6.
How does E♭ gypsy major differ from E♭ phrygian dominant?
E♭ gypsy major raises the seventh from D♭ to D. This creates a leading tone to the tonic. The rest of the scale is identical.