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