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 3, fret 1 and string 1, fret 4.
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 1 to fret 4, 10 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the C string at fret 1 up to C♯ on the A string at fret 4. The root falls on the C string at fret 1 and the A string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 3 | G♯, A♯ |
| 3 (C) | 1, 2, 4 | C♯, D, E |
| 2 (E) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 3, 4 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
C♯ neapolitan major in box 2 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 6 and the A string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 6, 7 | B♯, C♯, D |
| 3 (C) | 4, 6 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 6 | G♯, A♯ |
| 1 (A) | 4, 5, 7 | C♯, D, E |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
C♯ neapolitan major in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 10 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 G string at fret 6 and the E string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 7, 9 | C♯, D, E |
| 3 (C) | 6, 8 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8, 9 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
C♯ neapolitan major in box 4 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 E string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 10 | G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9, 10 | B♯, C♯, D |
| 1 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
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 3, fret 1 and covers frets 1–4 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. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
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♯, while neapolitan major uses D natural. The other six notes are identical.