Explore scales · Ukulele
F♯ neapolitan minor scale on ukulele
F♯ neapolitan minor is F♯, G, A, B, C♯, D, E♯. The reentrant G places the root on string 2, fret 2 for a mid-neck grip.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the F♯ neapolitan minor scale on ukulele?
F♯ 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 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, 2 | C♯, D |
| 2 (E) | 1, 2, 3 | E♯, F♯, G |
| 1 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
Box 2 · frets 6–9
F♯ neapolitan minor in box 2 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 9 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, 7 | C♯, D |
| 3 (C) | 6, 7, 9 | F♯, G, A |
| 2 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 9 | E♯, F♯ |
Box 3 · frets 9–12
F♯ neapolitan minor in box 3 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, 10 | C♯, D |
| 1 (A) | 9, 10, 12 | F♯, G, A |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ neapolitan minor flattens the second degree of F♯ harmonic minor from G♯ to G. The scale keeps the minor third, perfect fourth, perfect fifth, augmented fifth, and major seventh, but the new half-step between F♯ and G gives it a tense, leading quality. A tritone appears between G and C♯. See F♯ harmonic minor for the unaltered form.
When to use it
F♯ neapolitan minor fits F♯ minor and F♯ 5th chords. Its ♭2 G colours F♯ minor with a dark, exotic edge, while the major seventh E♯ adds pull. Use it over F♯ 5th for a tense, unresolved sound.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root F♯ on string 2, fret 2 and covers frets 1–4, making the ♭2–1 half-step easy to fret.
Common questions
What notes are in F♯ neapolitan minor?
F♯ neapolitan minor contains F♯, G, A, B, C♯, D, and E♯. The scale has a flattened second and sixth degree. It is a minor scale with a major seventh. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit F♯ neapolitan minor?
F♯ neapolitan minor works over F♯ minor and F♯ 5th chords. The flattened second G adds a Neapolitan colour. The major seventh E♯ creates a strong pull back to F♯.
How is F♯ neapolitan minor different from F♯ harmonic minor?
F♯ neapolitan minor lowers the second degree from G♯ to G. The rest of the scale matches F♯ harmonic minor. This change creates a half-step between the first two notes.