Explore scales · Guitar
A neapolitan minor scale on guitar
A neapolitan minor uses A, B♭, C, D, E, F, G♯. Its half-step opening gives Box 1 a distinct stretch.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the A neapolitan minor scale on guitar?
A neapolitan minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 15 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to F on the high e string at fret 1. 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, 1 | E, F |
| 5 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2, 3 | D, E, F |
| 3 (G) | 1, 2, 3 | G♯, A, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 3 | C, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 1 | E, F |
Box 2 · frets 5–8
A neapolitan minor in box 2 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 16 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, 8 | D, E, F |
| 4 (D) | 6, 7, 8 | G♯, A, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 6 | E, F |
| 1 (e) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
Box 3 · frets 8–11
A neapolitan minor in box 3 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) | 8, 11 | F, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 3 (G) | 9, 10 | E, F |
| 2 (B) | 9, 10, 11 | G♯, A, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 10 | C, D |
Box 4 · frets 10–13
A neapolitan minor in box 4 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 16 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to F on the high e string at fret 13. 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, 13 | D, E, F |
| 5 (A) | 11, 12, 13 | G♯, A, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 3 (G) | 10, 13 | F, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 10, 11, 13 | A, B♭, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12, 13 | D, E, F |
Why it sounds like that
A neapolitan minor is A harmonic minor with the second degree lowered a half step to B♭. The pattern becomes H, W, W, W, H, 1½, H. This creates a ♭2 that sits a semitone above the tonic. Compare it with A harmonic minor.
When to use it
Use it over A minor progressions that include a ♭II chord like B♭ major. It fits metal, neoclassical, and dark ambient textures. The ♭2 adds tension to riffs and leads.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 6, fret 5, and the ♭2 is one fret higher. It covers frets 0–3 and sets up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in A neapolitan minor?
A, B♭, C, D, E, F, G♯. The scale has a half step between A and B♭, and a 1½ step between F and G♯. This gives it a distinctive dark sound.
Which chords fit A neapolitan minor?
The tonic chord is A minor. The ♭II chord is B♭ major. The v chord is E 7th flat 5. These chords highlight the scale's altered degrees.
How is A neapolitan minor different from A harmonic minor?
A harmonic minor has B natural, while neapolitan minor has B♭. This lowers the second degree by a half step. The rest of the scale is identical.