Explore scales · Bass
C neapolitan minor scale on bass guitar
C neapolitan minor uses C, D♭, E♭, F, G, A♭, B. Box 1 keeps the root on the third string, making the ♭2 a one-fret stretch.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the C neapolitan minor scale on bass?
C neapolitan minor 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 B on the G string at fret 4. The root falls on the A string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 3, 4 | F, G, A♭ |
| 3 (A) | 2, 3, 4 | B, C, D♭ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 1 (G) | 1, 4 | A♭, B |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C neapolitan minor in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 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 A string at fret 3 and the G string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 4 | G, A♭ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | F, G, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 4, 5, 6 | B, C, D♭ |
Box 3 · frets 8–11
C neapolitan minor in box 3 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 11 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to F on the G string at fret 10. The root falls on the E string at fret 8 and the D string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 10, 11 | F, G, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 9, 10, 11 | B, C, D♭ |
| 1 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 11–14
C neapolitan minor in box 4 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 8 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the E string at fret 11 up to A♭ 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) | 11, 13 | E♭, F |
| 3 (A) | 11, 14 | A♭, B |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13 | D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 12, 13 | G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
C neapolitan minor is C harmonic minor with the second degree lowered a half step. The intervals are 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7. The half step between C and D♭ defines the scale. Compare it to C harmonic minor.
When to use it
Use C neapolitan minor over C minor or C 5th chords for a tense, exotic sound. The ♭2 works in dark ambient or progressive bass lines. Try it over C minor or C 5th.
Which position to practise
Start with Box 1. The root on string 3 keeps the hand compact, and the ♭2 is a single fret above.
Common questions
Which chords fit C neapolitan minor?
The tonic C minor and C 5th chords fit directly. The ♭2, D♭, is a passing tone. The raised seventh, B, leads back to C.
How is C neapolitan minor different from C harmonic minor?
C harmonic minor has D natural as the second degree. C neapolitan minor lowers that to D♭. This creates a half step between the first and second degrees.
Can I use C neapolitan minor over a C minor chord?
Yes, the scale contains C, E♭, and G. The D♭ and A♭ add tension. The B is a leading tone to C.
What is the pattern for C neapolitan minor?
The step pattern is half, whole, whole, whole, half, one and a half, half. This gives the scale its distinctive sound.