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