Explore scales · Ukulele
A neapolitan major scale on ukulele
A neapolitan major contains A, B♭, C, D, E, F♯, and G♯. Its four-string grip on ukulele favours Box 1 for the low root on string 4.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the A neapolitan major scale on ukulele?
A neapolitan major in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 10 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the G string at fret 2 and the A string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 2, 3 | G♯, A, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 2 | C, D |
| 2 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
A neapolitan major in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 10 notes across 4 strings, from D on the C string at fret 2 up to D on the A string at fret 5. The root falls on the G string at fret 2 and the E string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2, 3, 5 | A, B♭, C |
| 3 (C) | 2, 4 | D, E |
| 2 (E) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
A neapolitan major in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 9 notes across 4 strings, from E on the C string at fret 4 up to E on the A string at fret 7. The root falls on the E string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
| 3 (C) | 4, 6 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 5, 6 | G♯, A, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
A neapolitan major in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 9 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the C string at fret 6 up to F♯ on the A string at fret 9. The root falls on the C string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 3 (C) | 6, 8, 9 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
A neapolitan major in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 10 notes across 4 strings, from A on the C string at fret 9 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the C string at fret 9 and the A string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (C) | 9, 10, 12 | A, B♭, C |
| 2 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 1 (A) | 9, 11, 12 | F♯, G♯, A |
Why it sounds like that
A neapolitan major is A melodic minor with a flattened second degree, so B♭ replaces B. The scale keeps the minor third C, the major sixth F♯, and the leading tone G♯. That ♭2–♭3 pair creates the characteristic Neapolitan step at the bottom. Compare it with A melodic minor.
When to use it
A neapolitan major fits A minor and A 5th chords, where the ♭2 adds a dark upper-neighbour colour. Use it over A minor or A 5th vamps. The leading tone G♯ also lets it resolve to A major in a Picardy third.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root A on string 4, fret 2 and covers frets 0–3 for the full lower octave.
Common questions
Which notes are in A neapolitan major?
A neapolitan major contains A, B♭, C, D, E, F♯, and G♯. The scale is spelled 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Its step pattern is H, W, W, W, W, W, H.
What chords does A neapolitan major fit?
A neapolitan major fits A minor and A 5th chords. The ♭2 B♭ sits a semitone above the root, so it works over sustained minor vamps. The major seventh G♯ also suits A minor-major sounds.
Is A neapolitan major the same as A melodic minor?
A neapolitan major differs from A melodic minor only in the second degree. A melodic minor uses B natural, while neapolitan major uses B♭. The other six notes are identical.