The Gypsy Scale



There are dozens of variations of scales used by Gypsies over centuries. A lot of students think this particular scale sound a lot more "Egyptian" than Gypsy. Well, it certainly has an oriental sound to it and is very useful and colorful scale. Itīs similar to the Phrygian mode, still I find the Gypsy scale much "richer" in its intervals.

I start with root or tonic in E, the rest of scale being F, G#, A, B, C and Eb. Sometimes the interval sixth (C) and seventh (Eb) is pretty uncomfortable on guitar. Change the Eb to D (see below) or play both two tones to create a chromatic, almost bluesy run to the tonic. A quite interesting mode the Gypsy scale.