Explore scales · Ukulele
E hungarian gypsy scale on ukulele
E Hungarian Gypsy uses E, F♯, G, A♯, B, C, D. The ♯4 A♯ sits on the 1st fret of string 3 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 0 to fret 3, 10 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) | 0, 3 | G, A♯ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 2 | C, D |
| 2 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (A) | 1, 2, 3 | A♯, B, C |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
E hungarian gypsy in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 10 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 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 4, 5 | A♯, B, C |
| 3 (C) | 2, 4 | D, E |
| 2 (E) | 2, 3 | F♯, G |
| 1 (A) | 2, 3, 5 | B, C, D |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
E hungarian gypsy in box 3 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 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, 7 | B, C, D |
| 3 (C) | 4, 6, 7 | E, F♯, G |
| 2 (E) | 6, 7 | A♯, B |
| 1 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
E hungarian gypsy in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 9 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the C string at fret 6 up to F♯ on the A string at fret 9. The root falls on the G string at fret 9 and the A string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 3 (C) | 6, 7 | F♯, G |
| 2 (E) | 6, 7, 8 | A♯, B, C |
| 1 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
Box 5 · frets 10–12
E hungarian gypsy in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 12, 8 notes across 4 strings, from A♯ on the C string at fret 10 up to G on the A string at fret 10. The root falls on the E string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
| 3 (C) | 10, 11, 12 | A♯, B, C |
| 2 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 1 (A) | 10 | G |
Why it sounds like that
E Hungarian Gypsy raises the 4th of E natural minor to A♯, creating a diminished 5th from E and a minor 2nd from B. The scale keeps the minor 3rd G and minor 7th D, so it retains a dark minor quality. This alteration adds a tritone between E and A♯ and between F♯ and C. Compare it with E natural minor.
When to use it
E Hungarian Gypsy fits E minor and E 5th chords. The ♯4 A♯ works over F♯ 7th flat 5 and F♯ 7th sharp 5. Use it for dark folk or Eastern European lines in E minor. Try it over E minor and F♯ 7th flat 5.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root E on string 3, fret 4 and covers frets 0–3.
Common questions
What notes are in E Hungarian Gypsy?
E Hungarian Gypsy contains E, F♯, G, A♯, B, C, D. The scale has a minor 3rd and a raised 4th. It is a seven-note scale.
Which chords does E Hungarian Gypsy fit?
E Hungarian Gypsy fits E minor and E 5th chords. The ♯4 A♯ also works over F♯ 7th flat 5 and F♯ 7th sharp 5. Use it over minor progressions with a raised 4th.
Is E Hungarian Gypsy the same as E natural minor?
E Hungarian Gypsy raises the 4th of E natural minor from A to A♯. The other notes are the same. This creates a tritone between E and A♯.