F Gypsy Minor Scale on Ukulele: Notes, Positions

How it is built

F1G2A♭♭3C♭♭5C5D♭♭6E7

Formula 1, 2, ♭3, ♭5, 5, ♭6, 7

Chords these notes build

How do you play the F gypsy minor scale on ukulele?

F gypsy minor 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 1.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (G)	0, 1	G, A♭
3 (C)	0, 1	C, D♭
2 (E)	0, 1, 3	E, F, G
1 (A)	2, 3	C♭, C

Box 2 · frets 5–8

F gypsy minor 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, 7, 8	F, G, A♭
2 (E)	7, 8	C♭, C
1 (A)	7, 8	E, F

Box 3 · frets 7–10

F gypsy minor in box 3 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 10 and the A string at fret 8.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (G)	9, 10	E, F
3 (C)	7, 8	G, A♭
2 (E)	7, 8, 9	C♭, C, D♭
1 (A)	7, 8, 10	E, F, G

Why it sounds like that

Form it from F harmonic minor by lowering the fourth degree B♭ to C♭, creating a 1½-step gap between A♭ and C♭. The scale degrees are 1, 2, ♭3, ♭5, 5, ♭6, 7. This alteration yields the signature augmented-second leap. Compare with F harmonic minor to hear the difference.

When to use it

F gypsy minor works over F minor or F 5th chords for an exotic, tense sound. Use it over a F minor vamp to highlight the augmented second. It fits progressive metal, fusion, and Middle Eastern–flavoured lines. The major seventh E resolves strongly to F.

Which position to practise

Learn Box 1 first. It places the root on string 3, fret 5 and covers frets 0–3, which is good for developing finger strength in the low register.

Common questions

What notes are in F gypsy minor?

The notes are F, G, A♭, C♭, C, D♭, and E. C♭ is the same pitch as B. The scale has a minor third, flat fifth, and major seventh.

Which chords fit F gypsy minor?

F gypsy minor fits F minor and F 5th chords. The scale contains a minor third and perfect fifth, so it works over a minor tonic. The flat fifth adds tension.

How is F gypsy minor different from F harmonic minor?

F gypsy minor lowers the fourth degree from B♭ to C♭ compared to F harmonic minor. This creates an augmented second between A♭ and C♭. The rest of the notes are identical.