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 4.
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 0 to fret 3, 9 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the E string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 2 | G♯, A |
| 3 (C) | 0, 3 | C, D♯ |
| 2 (E) | 0, 1 | E, F |
| 1 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
E gypsy major in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 9 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 C string at fret 4 and the A string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4, 5 | B, C |
| 3 (C) | 4, 5 | E, F |
| 2 (E) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
| 1 (A) | 6, 7 | D♯, E |
Box 3 · frets 8–11
E gypsy major in box 3 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 10 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the C string at fret 8 up to G♯ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the G string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 9, 10 | D♯, E, F |
| 3 (C) | 8, 9, 11 | G♯, A, B |
| 2 (E) | 8, 11 | C, D♯ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 11 | F, G♯ |
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 4 and covers frets 0–3, 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.
Which chords fit E gypsy major?
E major and E 5th work as tonic chords. B 7th flat 5 fits the fifth degree. C 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.