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