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