Explore scales · Guitar
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 4, string 3 fret 6, and string 2 fret 2.
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 0 to fret 3, 13 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 B string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 1, 3 | A♯, B♯ |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 1, 3 | G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 2, 3 | B♯, C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
C♯ 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 4 and the B string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 5 (A) | 3, 4, 5 | B♯, C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 3, 5 | A♯, B♯ |
| 2 (B) | 2, 3, 5 | C♯, D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
C♯ neapolitan major in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 14 notes across 6 strings, from G♯ on the low E string at fret 4 up to A♯ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the A string at fret 4 and the G string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 6 | G♯, A♯ |
| 5 (A) | 4, 5, 7 | C♯, D, E |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 6, 7 | B♯, C♯, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 6 | G♯, A♯ |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
C♯ neapolitan major in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 15 notes across 6 strings, from A♯ on the low E string at fret 6 up to C♯ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the low E string at fret 9, the G string at fret 6 and the high e string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 8, 9 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8 | G♯, A♯ |
| 3 (G) | 6, 7, 9 | C♯, D, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 9 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 8, 9 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
C♯ neapolitan major in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 15 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the low E string at fret 9, the D string at fret 11 and the high e string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 11, 12 | B♯, C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 11 | G♯, A♯ |
| 1 (e) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
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 4 and covers frets 0–3, 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. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit C♯ neapolitan major?
The tonic chord is C♯ minor or C♯ 5th. The scale also works over altered dominant chords like D 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.