Explore scales · Guitar
A neapolitan major scale on guitar
A neapolitan major uses A, B♭, C, D, E, F♯, G♯. Box 1 places roots on string 6 fret 5, string 3 fret 2, and string 1 fret 5.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the A neapolitan major scale on guitar?
A neapolitan major in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 14 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 2. The root falls on the A string at fret 0 and the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 1, 2, 3 | G♯, A, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 3 | C, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
A neapolitan major in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 15 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5, the G string at fret 2 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 5 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 3, 5 | A, B♭, C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5 | D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
A neapolitan major in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 15 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5, the D string at fret 7 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 4 (D) | 6, 7, 8 | G♯, A, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
A neapolitan major in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 13 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the B string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 10, 11 | G♯, A, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 10 | C, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
A neapolitan major in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 14 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 12 and the B string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 5 (A) | 11, 12, 13 | G♯, A, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 10, 11, 13 | A, B♭, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12 | D, E |
Why it sounds like that
Lower the second degree of A melodic minor by a semitone to get A neapolitan major. The scale spells 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, 7 with intervals 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11. Its step pattern is H, W, W, W, W, W, H. Compare with A melodic minor to hear the ♭2.
When to use it
Use A neapolitan major over A minor or A 5th chords. The ♭2 and ♭3 give a dark, exotic colour in metal and fusion. Try it over A minor or A 5th.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root on string 6 fret 5 and covers frets 0–3, making the half-step ♭2 easy to reach.
Common questions
What notes are in A neapolitan major?
The notes are A, B♭, C, D, E, F♯, G♯. The scale has a lowered second and third degree compared to major. It is also called Kokilpriya in Carnatic music.
Which chords fit A neapolitan major?
The tonic chord is A minor or A 5th. The scale also works over altered dominant chords like B♭ 7♭5 and C 7♯5. Use it for a dark, exotic sound.
How is A neapolitan major different from A melodic minor?
A neapolitan major has a B♭ instead of B. This lowers the second degree by a semitone. The rest of the notes are identical.