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