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