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