Explore scales · Bass
D neapolitan major scale on bass guitar
D neapolitan major contains D, E♭, F, G, A, B, and C♯. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 5 for an open-position feel.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the D neapolitan major scale on bass?
D neapolitan major in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 8 notes across 4 strings, from F on the E string at fret 1 up to B on the G string at fret 4. 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) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 3 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 1 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
D neapolitan major in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 9 notes across 4 strings, from G on the E string at fret 3 up to C♯ on the G string at fret 6. The root falls on the A string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 3 (A) | 4, 5, 6 | C♯, D, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 1 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
D neapolitan major in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 10 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to E♭ on the G string at fret 8. The root falls on the A string at fret 5 and the G string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 3 (A) | 5, 6, 8 | D, E♭, F |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 1 (G) | 6, 7, 8 | C♯, D, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
D 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 F on the G string at fret 10. The root falls on the E string at fret 10 and the G string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 1 (G) | 7, 8, 10 | D, E♭, F |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
D neapolitan major in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 10 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to G on the G string at fret 12. The root falls on the E string at fret 10 and the D string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 11, 13 | D, E♭, F |
| 3 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
| 2 (D) | 11, 12, 13 | C♯, D, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
Why it sounds like that
D neapolitan major is D melodic minor with the second degree lowered to E♭. The scale keeps the major 6th and major 7th, so it has a leading tone and a tritone. Compare it with D melodic minor to hear the ♭2 change.
When to use it
D neapolitan major fits D minor and D 5th chords. Use it over D minor for a dark colour, or over D 5th for a tense line.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. The root sits on string 3, fret 5, with the ♭2 one fret higher, making the half-step motion easy to hear.
Common questions
What notes are in D neapolitan major?
D neapolitan major contains D, E♭, F, G, A, B, and C♯. The scale has a ♭2, ♭3, major 6th, and major 7th. It is a seven-note scale.
Which chords fit D neapolitan major?
D neapolitan major fits D minor and D 5th chords. The ♭2 and ♭3 add tension over these chords. Use it for a dark, exotic sound.
How is D neapolitan major different from D melodic minor?
D neapolitan major lowers the second degree to E♭ compared to D melodic minor. The rest of the notes are the same. This creates a distinctive half-step at the start.