Explore scales · Bass
F neapolitan minor scale on bass guitar
F neapolitan minor uses F, G♭, A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E. Box 1 places the root on the fourth 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 F neapolitan minor scale on bass?
F neapolitan minor in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 11 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, 4 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 2 (D) | 2, 3, 4 | E, F, G♭ |
| 1 (G) | 1, 3 | A♭, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
F neapolitan minor 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 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) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 4, 7 | D♭, E |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6 | G♭, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 5, 6 | C, D♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
F neapolitan minor in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 10 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, 9 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (A) | 7, 8, 9 | E, F, G♭ |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 6, 9 | D♭, E |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
F neapolitan minor in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 11 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, 9 | C, D♭ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 9, 11 | F, G♭, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10, 11 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 1 (G) | 9, 10, 11 | E, F, G♭ |
Why it sounds like that
F neapolitan minor is F harmonic minor with the second degree lowered a half step. The intervals are 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7. The half step between F and G♭ defines the scale. Compare it to F harmonic minor.
When to use it
Use F neapolitan minor over F minor or F 5th chords for a tense, exotic sound. The ♭2 works in dark ambient or progressive bass lines. Try it over F minor or F 5th.
Which position to practise
Start with Box 1. The root on string 4 keeps the hand compact, and the ♭2 is a single fret above.
Common questions
Which chords fit F neapolitan minor?
The tonic F minor and F 5th chords fit directly. The ♭2, G♭, is a passing tone. The raised seventh, E, leads back to F.
How is F neapolitan minor different from F harmonic minor?
F harmonic minor has G natural as the second degree. F neapolitan minor lowers that to G♭. This creates a half step between the first and second degrees.
Can I use F neapolitan minor over an F minor chord?
Yes, the scale contains F, A♭, and C. The G♭ and D♭ add tension. The E is a leading tone to F.
What is the pattern for F neapolitan minor?
The step pattern is half, whole, whole, whole, half, one and a half, half. This gives the scale its distinctive sound.