Explore scales · Ukulele
G neapolitan major scale on ukulele
G neapolitan major contains G, A♭, B♭, C, D, E, and F♯. On ukulele, Box 1 places the root on string 2, fret 3.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the G neapolitan major scale on ukulele?
G neapolitan major in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 10 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 G string at fret 0 and the E string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 2 | C, D |
| 2 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
G 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 E string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
| 3 (C) | 2, 4 | D, E |
| 2 (E) | 2, 3, 4 | F♯, G, A♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
G neapolitan major in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 9 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 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
| 3 (C) | 4, 6, 7 | E, F♯, G |
| 2 (E) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
G neapolitan major in box 4 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 C string at fret 7 and the A string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 3 (C) | 7, 8, 10 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 1 (A) | 7, 9, 10 | E, F♯, G |
Box 5 · frets 10–12
G neapolitan major in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 12, 8 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the C string at fret 10 up to A♭ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the G string at fret 12 and the A string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
| 3 (C) | 10, 12 | B♭, C |
| 2 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 1 (A) | 10, 11 | G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
G neapolitan major is G melodic minor with a flattened second degree, so A♭ replaces A. The scale keeps the minor third B♭, the major sixth E, and the leading tone F♯. That ♭2–♭3 pair creates the characteristic Neapolitan step at the bottom. Compare it with G melodic minor.
When to use it
G neapolitan major fits G minor and G 5th chords, where the ♭2 adds a dark upper-neighbour colour. Use it over G minor or G 5th vamps. The leading tone F♯ also lets it resolve to G major in a Picardy third.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root G on string 2, fret 3 and covers frets 0–3 for the full lower octave.
Common questions
Which notes are in G neapolitan major?
G neapolitan major contains G, A♭, B♭, C, D, E, and F♯. 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 G neapolitan major fit?
G neapolitan major fits G minor and G 5th chords. The ♭2 A♭ sits a semitone above the root, so it works over sustained minor vamps. The major seventh F♯ also suits G minor-major sounds.
Is G neapolitan major the same as G melodic minor?
G neapolitan major differs from G melodic minor only in the second degree. G melodic minor uses A natural, while neapolitan major uses A♭. The other six notes are identical.