STRINGSCALES

A neapolitan minor Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F, G#, A, Bb, C, D, E at frets 0, 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12

A string: A, Bb, C, D, E, F, G#, A at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12

D string: D, E, F, G#, A, Bb, C, D at frets 0, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12

G string: G#, A, Bb, C, D, E, F at frets 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10

B string: C, D, E, F, G#, A, Bb at frets 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11

High E string: E, F, G#, A, Bb, C, D, E at frets 0, 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12

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A neapolitan minor

The neapolitan minor scale is harmonic minor with a flat 2nd: root, flat 2nd, flat 3rd, 4th, 5th, flat 6th, major 7th. It combines the phrygian half-step opening with the harmonic minor's dramatic leading tone, giving two strong pulls toward the root from both sides. Classical composers used its namesake Neapolitan chord for exactly this dark-to-resolution effect.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

A

i

Am
B♭

bII

B♭maj
C

bIII+

Caug
D

iv

Dm
E

V

Emaj♭5
F

bVI

Fmaj
G♯

VII

B♭7no5/G#

Same notes, different mode

A neapolitan minor uses the same notes as the scales below. Start from a different note and you get a new mode built on the very same note set.

Bb lydian #6C mixolydian augmentedD romani minorE locrian dominantF ionian major #2G# ultralocrian

neapolitan minor in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Two half-step magnets pull to the root: bII (Bb) from above... approach A from both directions in one phrase.
  • Use it over a minor chord when the bII (Bb) major triad (the Neapolitan chord) appears in the progression; the scale covers both.
  • Practice the augmented 2nd between b6 (F) and VII the same way you would in harmonic minor: as a deliberate expressive leap.
  • Compare against A harmonic minor in the same solo: only the 2nd changes, and that single flat is pure classical drama.

How to play A neapolitan minor on guitar

Open A supplies the tonic and the two E strings add a perfect fifth on either side of it, so drones cost nothing here. Open D fills in the fourth. Roots repeat at 5 on both E strings, 7 on the D string, 2 on the G. A single sharp in the key signature and a box that closes at 9, which means most of this key fits below the barre at 12.

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