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 6 and string 2, fret 2.
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 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 E string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
| 3 (C) | 1, 3 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 2, 3 | E♯, F♯, G |
| 1 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
F♯ neapolitan major in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 9 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the C string at fret 3 up to D♯ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the C string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5, 6 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 1 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
F♯ 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 C string at fret 6 and the A string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 8 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (C) | 6, 7, 9 | F♯, G, A |
| 2 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8, 9 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
F♯ 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 11 and the A string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10, 11, 12 | E♯, F♯, G |
| 3 (C) | 9, 11 | A, B |
| 2 (E) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (A) | 9, 10, 12 | 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 6 and covers frets 1–4 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. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
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♯, while neapolitan major uses G natural. The other six notes are identical.