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 2 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 2 to fret 5, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the E string at fret 2 up to B on the G string at fret 4. The root falls on the E string at fret 2 and the D string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 3 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 4, 5 | E♯, F♯, G |
| 1 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
Box 2 · frets 5–8
F♯ neapolitan major in box 2 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 8 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to D♯ on the G string at fret 8. 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) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 3 (A) | 6, 8 | D♯, E♯ |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 1 (G) | 6, 8 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
F♯ neapolitan major in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 9 notes across 4 strings, from B on the E string at fret 7 up to E♯ on the G string at fret 10. The root falls on the A string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 9, 10 | E♯, F♯, G |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 1 (G) | 8, 10 | D♯, E♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
F♯ neapolitan major in box 4 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 A string at fret 9 and the G string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (A) | 9, 10, 12 | F♯, G, A |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 11, 12 | E♯, F♯, G |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
F♯ neapolitan major in box 5 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 14 and the G string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 13, 14 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 12, 14 | A, B |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (G) | 11, 12, 14 | 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 2, 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. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
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.