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