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E♭ hungarian gypsy scale on ukulele
E♭ Hungarian Gypsy uses E♭, F, G♭, A, B♭, C♭, D♭. The G♭–A jump is the widest interval in Box 1.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, ♯4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the E♭ hungarian gypsy scale on ukulele?
E♭ hungarian gypsy in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 10 notes across 4 strings, from D♭ on the C string at fret 1 up to D♭ on the A string at fret 4. The root falls on the C string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2, 3, 4 | A, B♭, C♭ |
| 3 (C) | 1, 3 | D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 2 | F, G♭ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 2, 4 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
E♭ hungarian gypsy in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 10 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, 6 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5, 6 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 2 (E) | 5, 6 | A, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 4, 6 | D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
E♭ hungarian gypsy in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 9 notes across 4 strings, from F on the C string at fret 5 up to F on the A string at fret 8. The root falls on the G string at fret 8 and the A string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 8 | D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 6 | F, G♭ |
| 2 (E) | 5, 6, 7 | A, B♭, C♭ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
E♭ hungarian gypsy in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 9 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 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10, 11 | F, G♭ |
| 3 (C) | 9, 10, 11 | A, B♭, C♭ |
| 2 (E) | 9, 11 | D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 9, 12 | G♭, A |
Why it sounds like that
E♭ Hungarian Gypsy raises the fourth degree of E♭ natural minor from A♭ to A. That creates an augmented second between G♭ and A. The scale keeps the minor third, flat sixth, and flat seventh. See E♭ natural minor for the unaltered form.
When to use it
E♭ Hungarian Gypsy works over E♭ minor or E♭ 5th chords when you want a brighter fourth. The A natural resolves up to B♭, so use it before the fifth. It fits klezmer and dramatic film cues. Try E♭ minor or E♭ 5th.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. Its roots on string 3, fret 3 and string 1, fret 6 cover frets 1–4 and place the G♭–A stretch in a comfortable position.
Common questions
What is the alternate name for E♭ Hungarian Gypsy?
Use whichever spelling fits the music. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chord works best with E♭ Hungarian Gypsy?
E♭ minor is the most stable choice because it contains E♭, G♭, and B♭. The scale adds A natural as a passing tone. Avoid holding the A over the chord for too long.
Why is there a three-fret gap between G♭ and A?
The interval is an augmented second, equal to three frets. It comes from raising the fourth degree of natural minor. This gap gives the scale its Hungarian Gypsy character.