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