Explore scales · Bass
D neapolitan minor scale on bass guitar
D neapolitan minor uses D, E♭, F, G, A, B♭, C♯. 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 D neapolitan minor scale on bass?
D neapolitan minor 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 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) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 3 (A) | 1, 4 | B♭, C♯ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 1 (G) | 2, 3 | A, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
D neapolitan minor 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 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, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 4, 5, 6 | C♯, D, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 1 (G) | 3, 6 | B♭, C♯ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
D neapolitan minor in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 11 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, 6 | A, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 5, 6, 8 | D, E♭, F |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 6, 7, 8 | C♯, D, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 10–13
D neapolitan minor in box 4 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 11 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, 13 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 11, 12, 13 | C♯, D, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
Why it sounds like that
D neapolitan minor is D harmonic minor with the second degree lowered a half step. The intervals are 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7. The half step between D and E♭ defines the scale. Compare it to D harmonic minor.
When to use it
Use D neapolitan minor over D minor or D 5th chords for a tense, exotic sound. The ♭2 works in dark ambient or progressive bass lines. Try it over D minor or D 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 D neapolitan minor?
The tonic D minor and D 5th chords fit directly. The ♭2, E♭, is a passing tone. The raised seventh, C♯, leads back to D.
How is D neapolitan minor different from D harmonic minor?
D harmonic minor has E natural as the second degree. D neapolitan minor lowers that to E♭. This creates a half step between the first and second degrees.
Can I use D neapolitan minor over a D minor chord?
Yes, the scale contains D, F, and A. The E♭ and B♭ add tension. The C♯ is a leading tone to D.
What is the pattern for D neapolitan minor?
The step pattern is half, whole, whole, whole, half, one and a half, half. This gives the scale its distinctive sound.