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