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