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B neapolitan major scale on bass guitar
B neapolitan major contains B, C, D, E, F♯, G♯, and A♯. Box 1 keeps the root on string 3, fret 2 for a compact 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 0 to fret 3, 9 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to A♯ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 1, 2, 3 | A♯, B, C |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 1 (G) | 1, 3 | G♯, A♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
B neapolitan major in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the E string at fret 2 up to C on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the A string at fret 2 and the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 3 (A) | 2, 3, 5 | B, C, D |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (G) | 3, 4, 5 | A♯, B, C |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
B neapolitan major in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 10 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the E string at fret 4 up to D on the G string at fret 7. The root falls on the E string at fret 7 and the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 6, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 3 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (G) | 4, 5, 7 | B, C, D |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
B neapolitan major in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 10 notes across 4 strings, from B on the E string at fret 7 up to E on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the E string at fret 7 and the D string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
| 3 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 9, 10 | A♯, B, C |
| 1 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
B neapolitan major in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 8 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to G♯ on the G string at fret 13. 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) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 3 (A) | 11, 13 | G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 1 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
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 1 first. The root sits on string 3, fret 2, 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.
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.