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