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