Explore scales · Bass
F♯ neapolitan minor scale on bass guitar
F♯ neapolitan minor uses F♯, G, A, B, C♯, D, E♯. Box 1 keeps the root on string 4, fret 2 and string 2, fret 4.
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 2 to fret 5, 11 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, 5 | B, C♯, D |
| 2 (D) | 3, 4, 5 | E♯, F♯, G |
| 1 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
Box 2 · frets 5–8
F♯ neapolitan minor 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 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) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 3 (A) | 5, 8 | D, E♯ |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 1 (G) | 6, 7 | C♯, D |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
F♯ neapolitan minor in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 10 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, 10 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (A) | 8, 9, 10 | E♯, F♯, G |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 1 (G) | 7, 10 | D, E♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
F♯ neapolitan minor in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 11 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, 10 | C♯, D |
| 3 (A) | 9, 10, 12 | F♯, G, A |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (G) | 10, 11, 12 | E♯, F♯, G |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ neapolitan minor lowers the second degree of F♯ harmonic minor from G♯ to G. The scale contains a tritone and a leading tone. Its step pattern is H, W, W, W, H, 1½, H.
When to use it
F♯ neapolitan minor fits F♯ minor and F♯ 5th chords. Its ♭2 and ♭6 create a dark, tense colour for metal and neoclassical lines.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 4, fret 2, covering frets 2–5 and setting up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in the F♯ neapolitan minor scale?
F♯ neapolitan minor contains F♯, G, A, B, C♯, D, and E♯. The scale has a minor 2nd, minor 3rd, perfect 4th, perfect 5th, augmented 5th, and major 7th. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does F♯ neapolitan minor fit?
F♯ neapolitan minor fits F♯ minor and F♯ 5th chords. The ♭2 and ♭6 add tension over these chords.
How does F♯ neapolitan minor differ from F♯ harmonic minor?
F♯ neapolitan minor lowers the second degree from G♯ to G. The rest of the scale matches F♯ harmonic minor.