Explore scales · Guitar
E neapolitan minor scale on guitar
E neapolitan minor contains E, F, G, A, B, C, D♯. Box 1 places the root on the fourth string for a compact pattern.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the E neapolitan minor scale on guitar?
E neapolitan minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 16 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, 3 | A, B, C |
| 4 (D) | 1, 2, 3 | D♯, E, F |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 1 | B, C |
| 1 (e) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
E neapolitan minor 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) | 3, 6 | C, D♯ |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 3 (G) | 4, 5 | B, C |
| 2 (B) | 4, 5, 6 | D♯, E, F |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5 | G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
E neapolitan minor in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 16 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 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, 8 | A, B, C |
| 5 (A) | 6, 7, 8 | D♯, E, F |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 3 (G) | 5, 8 | C, D♯ |
| 2 (B) | 5, 6, 8 | E, F, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
E neapolitan minor 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 C on the high e string at fret 8. 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, 8 | B, C |
| 5 (A) | 7, 8, 10 | E, F, G |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 3 (G) | 8, 9, 10 | D♯, E, F |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10 | G, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 8 | B, C |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
E neapolitan minor in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 14 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) | 13, 14 | D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 12, 14 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 12, 13 | B, C |
| 1 (e) | 11, 12, 13 | D♯, E, F |
Why it sounds like that
E neapolitan minor is E harmonic minor with the second degree lowered a half step to F. The interval sequence is H, W, W, W, H, 1½, H. The ♭2 creates a semitone above the tonic. See E harmonic minor for the unaltered form.
When to use it
Use it over E minor riffs that include a ♭II chord like F major. It suits dark ambient and technical metal. The ♭2 adds a Middle Eastern flavour.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root is on string 4, fret 2, and the ♭2 is one fret higher. It covers frets 0–3 and leads naturally to Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in E neapolitan minor?
E, F, G, A, B, C, D♯. The scale has a half step between E and F. The 1½ step occurs between C and D♯.
Which chords fit E neapolitan minor?
The tonic chord is E minor. The ♭II chord is F major. The v chord is B 7th flat 5. These chords outline the scale's unique intervals.
How is E neapolitan minor different from E harmonic minor?
E harmonic minor has F♯, while neapolitan minor has F natural. This lowers the second degree by a half step. The rest of the scale is unchanged.