Explore scales · Ukulele
C♯ neapolitan minor scale on ukulele
C♯ neapolitan minor is C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯, A, B♯. The reentrant G places the root on string 3, fret 1 for a bright, reachable start.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the C♯ neapolitan minor scale on ukulele?
C♯ neapolitan minor in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 9 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, 2 | G♯, A |
| 3 (C) | 1, 2, 4 | C♯, D, E |
| 2 (E) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4 | B♯, C♯ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
C♯ neapolitan minor 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, 5 | G♯, A |
| 1 (A) | 4, 5, 7 | C♯, D, E |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
C♯ neapolitan minor 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, 9 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9 | B♯, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
C♯ neapolitan minor 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, 9 | G♯, A |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9, 10 | B♯, C♯, D |
| 1 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ neapolitan minor flattens the second degree of C♯ harmonic minor from D♯ to D. The scale retains the minor third, perfect fourth, perfect fifth, augmented fifth, and major seventh, but the new half-step between C♯ and D gives it a tense, leading quality. A tritone appears between D and G♯. See C♯ harmonic minor for the unaltered form.
When to use it
C♯ neapolitan minor fits C♯ minor and C♯ 5th chords. Its ♭2 D colours C♯ minor with a dark, exotic edge, while the major seventh B♯ adds pull. Use it over C♯ 5th for a tense, unresolved sound.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root C♯ on string 3, fret 1 and covers frets 1–4, making the ♭2–1 half-step easy to fret.
Common questions
What notes are in C♯ neapolitan minor?
C♯ neapolitan minor contains C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯, A, and B♯. The scale has a flattened second and sixth degree. It is a minor scale with a major seventh. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit C♯ neapolitan minor?
C♯ neapolitan minor works over C♯ minor and C♯ 5th chords. The flattened second D adds a Neapolitan colour. The major seventh B♯ creates a strong pull back to C♯.
How is C♯ neapolitan minor different from C♯ harmonic minor?
C♯ neapolitan minor lowers the second degree from D♯ to D. The rest of the scale matches C♯ harmonic minor. This change creates a half-step between the first two notes.