STRINGSCALES

F neapolitan minor Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db, E at frets 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12

A string: Bb, C, Db, E, F, Gb, Ab at frets 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11

D string: E, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db at frets 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11

G string: Ab, Bb, C, Db, E, F, Gb at frets 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11

B string: C, Db, E, F, Gb, Ab, Bb at frets 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11

High E string: E, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db, E at frets 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12

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F 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:

F

i

Fm
G♭

bII

G♭maj
A♭

bIII+

A♭aug
B♭

iv

B♭m
C

V

Cmaj♭5
D♭

bVI

D♭maj
E

VII

G♭7no5/E

Same notes, different mode

F 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.

Gb lydian #6Ab mixolydian augmentedBb romani minorC locrian dominantDb ionian major #2E ultralocrian

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

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

How to play F neapolitan minor on guitar

Roots sit at fret 1 on both outer strings, which means first position already holds the tonic under the index finger. Capo fret 1 turns every E fingering into an F one, so a familiar shape covers the key with no new geometry. Only the two E strings carry scale tones, both sitting a major seventh above the root. Four flats, and the box closes at 5.

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