Explore scales · Guitar
F♯ neapolitan minor scale on guitar
F♯ neapolitan minor contains F♯, G, A, B, C♯, D, E♯. Box 2 keeps the root on the fourth string for an easy reach.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the F♯ neapolitan minor scale on guitar?
F♯ neapolitan minor in box 1 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 16 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the low E string at fret 2, the D string at fret 4 and the high e string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4, 5 | B, C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 3, 4, 5 | E♯, F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 3 | C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
Box 2 · frets 5–8
F♯ neapolitan minor in box 2 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 13 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 B string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 5 (A) | 5, 8 | D, E♯ |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 3 (G) | 6, 7 | C♯, D |
| 2 (B) | 6, 7, 8 | E♯, F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7 | A, B |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
F♯ neapolitan minor in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 16 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 A string at fret 9 and the B string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
| 5 (A) | 8, 9, 10 | E♯, F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 3 (G) | 7, 10 | D, E♯ |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8, 10 | F♯, G, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
F♯ neapolitan minor in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 15 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the A string at fret 9 and the G string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 10 | C♯, D |
| 5 (A) | 9, 10, 12 | F♯, G, A |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 10, 11, 12 | E♯, F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12 | A, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 10 | C♯, D |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ neapolitan minor is F♯ harmonic minor with the second degree lowered a half step to G. The interval sequence is H, W, W, W, H, 1½, H. The ♭2 creates a semitone above the tonic. See F♯ harmonic minor for the unaltered form.
When to use it
Use it over F♯ minor riffs that include a ♭II chord like G major. It suits progressive metal and dark ambient. The ♭2 adds a Middle Eastern flavour.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 2 first: the root is on string 4, fret 4, and the ♭2 is one fret higher. It covers frets 5–8 and leads naturally to Box 3.
Common questions
What notes are in F♯ neapolitan minor?
F♯, G, A, B, C♯, D, E♯. The scale has a half step between F♯ and G. The 1½ step occurs between D and E♯. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit F♯ neapolitan minor?
The tonic chord is F♯ minor. The ♭II chord is G major. The v chord is C♯ 7th flat 5. These chords outline the scale's unique intervals.
How is F♯ neapolitan minor different from F♯ harmonic minor?
F♯ harmonic minor has G♯, while neapolitan minor has G natural. This lowers the second degree by a half step. The rest of the scale is unchanged.