Explore scales · Ukulele
F gypsy major scale on ukulele
F gypsy major uses F, G♭, A, B♭, C, D♭, E. The 1–5 Box 1 grip puts the root on string 3, fret 5.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the F gypsy major scale on ukulele?
F gypsy major 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 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2, 3 | A, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1 | C, D♭ |
| 2 (E) | 0, 1, 2 | E, F, G♭ |
| 1 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 5–8
F gypsy major in box 2 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 C string at fret 5 and the A string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 6 | C, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 6 | F, G♭ |
| 2 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 7, 8 | E, F |
Box 3 · frets 9–12
F gypsy major in box 3 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 10 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 G string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 10, 11 | E, F, G♭ |
| 3 (C) | 9, 10, 12 | A, B♭, C |
| 2 (E) | 9, 12 | D♭, E |
| 1 (A) | 9, 12 | G♭, A |
Why it sounds like that
F gypsy major is built as F phrygian dominant with the seventh raised from E♭ to E. The scale follows 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7. Its step pattern is H, 1½, H, W, H, 1½, H. Compare it with F phrygian dominant.
When to use it
Use F gypsy major over an F major or F 5th chord for a sharp ♭2 and ♭6 colour. It fits F, G♭, A, B♭, C, D♭, E harmony. Try it in Middle Eastern or fusion styles. See F major and C 7th flat 5.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root on string 3, fret 5 and covers frets 0–3, setting up the Box 2 shift.
Common questions
What notes are in F gypsy major?
F, G♭, A, B♭, C, D♭, E. The scale has a major third and a raised seventh. It is also called Byzantine.
Which chords fit F gypsy major?
F major and F 5th work as tonic chords. C 7th flat 5 fits the fifth degree. C♯ augmented matches the ♭6.
How does F gypsy major differ from F phrygian dominant?
F gypsy major raises the seventh from E♭ to E. This creates a leading tone to the tonic. The rest of the scale is identical.