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F hungarian gypsy scale on ukulele
F Hungarian Gypsy uses F, G, A♭, B, C, D♭, E♭. The A♭–B 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 F hungarian gypsy scale on ukulele?
F hungarian gypsy 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, 3 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 1 (A) | 2, 3 | B, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
F 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 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4, 5, 6 | B, C, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5 | E♭, F |
| 2 (E) | 3, 4 | G, A♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
F hungarian gypsy in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 10 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, 8 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 7, 8 | F, G, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 7, 8 | B, C |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
F hungarian gypsy in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 9 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) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
| 3 (C) | 7, 8 | G, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 7, 8, 9 | B, C, D♭ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
Why it sounds like that
F Hungarian Gypsy raises the fourth degree of F natural minor from B♭ to B. That creates an augmented second between A♭ and B. The scale keeps the minor third, flat sixth, and flat seventh. See F natural minor for the unaltered form.
When to use it
F Hungarian Gypsy works over F minor or F 5th chords when you want a brighter fourth. The B natural resolves up to C, so use it before the fifth. It suits Eastern European and experimental music. Try F minor or F 5th.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. Its roots on string 3, fret 5 and string 2, fret 1 cover frets 0–3 and place the A♭–B stretch in a comfortable position.
Common questions
Which notes differ from F natural minor?
Only the fourth degree changes. F natural minor has B♭, while F Hungarian Gypsy has B. The other six notes are identical. That single change creates the augmented second.
Can I use F Hungarian Gypsy over an F minor chord?
Yes, the chord tones F, A♭, and C are in the scale. The B adds tension that resolves to C. Use it as a passing tone rather than a sustained note.
Why is there a three-fret gap between A♭ and B?
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.