Explore scales · Bass
B♭ neapolitan major scale on bass guitar
B♭ neapolitan major contains B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F, G, and A. Box 2 places the root on string 4, fret 6 for a mid-neck shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the B♭ neapolitan major scale on bass?
B♭ neapolitan major in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F on the E string at fret 1 up to C♭ on the G string at fret 4. The root falls on the A string at fret 1 and the G string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 3 (A) | 1, 2, 4 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 1 (G) | 2, 3, 4 | A, B♭, C♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
B♭ neapolitan major in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 10 notes across 4 strings, from G on the E string at fret 3 up to D♭ on the G string at fret 6. The root falls on the E string at fret 6 and the G string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 4, 6 | D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 1 (G) | 3, 4, 6 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
B♭ neapolitan major in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 10 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the E string at fret 6 up to E♭ on the G string at fret 8. The root falls on the E string at fret 6 and the D string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 7, 9 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
| 3 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
| 2 (D) | 7, 8, 9 | A, B♭, C♭ |
| 1 (G) | 6, 8 | D♭, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
B♭ neapolitan major in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 8 notes across 4 strings, from D♭ on the E string at fret 9 up to G on the G string at fret 12. No root falls inside this box; it sits between two of them.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 11 | D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11 | C♭, D♭ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
B♭ neapolitan major in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 9 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the E string at fret 11 up to A on the G string at fret 14. The root falls on the A string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 13 | E♭, F |
| 3 (A) | 12, 13, 14 | A, B♭, C♭ |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13 | D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 12, 14 | G, A |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ neapolitan major is B♭ melodic minor with the second degree lowered to C♭. The scale keeps the major 6th and major 7th, so it has a leading tone and a tritone. Compare it with B♭ melodic minor to hear the ♭2 change.
When to use it
B♭ neapolitan major fits B♭ minor and B♭ 5th chords. Use it over B♭ minor for a dark colour, or over B♭ 5th for a tense line.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 2 first. The root sits on string 4, fret 6, with the ♭2 one fret higher, making the half-step motion easy to hear.
Common questions
What notes are in B♭ neapolitan major?
B♭ neapolitan major contains B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F, G, and A. The scale has a ♭2, ♭3, major 6th, and major 7th. It is a seven-note scale. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit B♭ neapolitan major?
B♭ neapolitan major fits B♭ minor and B♭ 5th chords. The ♭2 and ♭3 add tension over these chords. Use it for a dark, exotic sound.
How is B♭ neapolitan major different from B♭ melodic minor?
B♭ neapolitan major lowers the second degree to C♭ compared to B♭ melodic minor. The rest of the notes are the same. This creates a distinctive half-step at the start.