Explore scales · Bass
E neapolitan major scale on bass guitar
E neapolitan major contains E, F, G, A, B, C♯, and D♯. Box 1 places the root on string 2, fret 2 for a low-position shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the E neapolitan major scale on bass?
E neapolitan major in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 10 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to A on the G string at fret 2. The root falls on the E string at fret 0 and the D string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
| 3 (A) | 0, 2 | A, B |
| 2 (D) | 1, 2, 3 | D♯, E, F |
| 1 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
E neapolitan major in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 8 notes across 4 strings, from G on the E string at fret 3 up to C♯ on the G string at fret 6. 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) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 3 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 1 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
E neapolitan major in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 9 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to D♯ on the G string at fret 8. The root falls on the A string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 3 (A) | 6, 7, 8 | D♯, E, F |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 1 (G) | 6, 8 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
E 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 A string at fret 7 and the G string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (A) | 7, 8, 10 | E, F, G |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 1 (G) | 8, 9, 10 | D♯, E, F |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
E 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 G on the G string at fret 12. The root falls on the E string at fret 12 and the G string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 3 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 9, 10, 12 | E, F, G |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
E neapolitan major in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 10 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the E string at fret 11 up to A on the G string at fret 14. The root falls on the E string at fret 12 and the D string at fret 14.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 12, 13 | D♯, E, F |
| 3 (A) | 12, 14 | A, B |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 1 (G) | 12, 14 | G, A |
Why it sounds like that
E neapolitan major is E melodic minor with the second degree lowered to F. The scale keeps the major 6th and major 7th, so it has a leading tone and a tritone. Compare it with E melodic minor to hear the ♭2 change.
When to use it
E neapolitan major fits E minor and E 5th chords. Use it over E minor for a dark colour, or over E 5th for a tense line.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. The root sits on string 2, fret 2, with the ♭2 one fret higher, making the half-step motion easy to hear.
Common questions
What notes are in E neapolitan major?
E neapolitan major contains E, F, G, A, B, C♯, and D♯. The scale has a ♭2, ♭3, major 6th, and major 7th. It is a seven-note scale.
Which chords fit E neapolitan major?
E neapolitan major fits E minor and E 5th chords. The ♭2 and ♭3 add tension over these chords. Use it for a dark, exotic sound.
How is E neapolitan major different from E melodic minor?
E neapolitan major lowers the second degree to F compared to E melodic minor. The rest of the notes are the same. This creates a distinctive half-step at the start.