Explore scales · Bass
C♯ neapolitan major scale on bass guitar
C♯ neapolitan major contains C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯, A♯, and B♯. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 4 for a mid-neck shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the C♯ neapolitan major scale on bass?
C♯ neapolitan major in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 8 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to A♯ on the G string at fret 3. 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) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 1, 3 | A♯, B♯ |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 1 (G) | 1, 3 | G♯, A♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
C♯ neapolitan major in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 9 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the E string at fret 2 up to B♯ on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the A string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 4, 5 | B♯, C♯, D |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (G) | 3, 5 | A♯, B♯ |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
C♯ 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 A string at fret 4 and the G string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 6 | G♯, A♯ |
| 3 (A) | 4, 5, 7 | C♯, D, E |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (G) | 5, 6, 7 | B♯, C♯, D |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
C♯ neapolitan major in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 10 notes across 4 strings, from A♯ on the E string at fret 6 up to E on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the E string at fret 9 and the G string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 8, 9 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 3 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8 | G♯, A♯ |
| 1 (G) | 6, 7, 9 | C♯, D, E |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
C♯ neapolitan major in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 10 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the E string at fret 9 up to F♯ on the G string at fret 11. The root falls on the E string at fret 9 and the D string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 3 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 11, 12 | B♯, C♯, D |
| 1 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ neapolitan major is C♯ melodic minor with the second degree lowered to D. The scale keeps the major 6th and major 7th, so it has a leading tone and a tritone. Compare it with C♯ melodic minor to hear the ♭2 change.
When to use it
C♯ neapolitan major fits C♯ minor and C♯ 5th chords. Use it over C♯ minor for a dark colour, or over C♯ 5th for a tense line.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. The root sits on string 3, fret 4, with the ♭2 one fret higher, making the half-step motion easy to hear.
Common questions
What notes are in C♯ neapolitan major?
C♯ neapolitan major contains C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯, A♯, and B♯. The scale has a ♭2, ♭3, major 6th, and major 7th. It is a seven-note scale. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit C♯ neapolitan major?
C♯ neapolitan major fits C♯ minor and C♯ 5th chords. The ♭2 and ♭3 add tension over these chords. Use it for a dark, exotic sound.
How is C♯ neapolitan major different from C♯ melodic minor?
C♯ neapolitan major lowers the second degree to D compared to C♯ melodic minor. The rest of the notes are the same. This creates a distinctive half-step at the start.