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