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F♯ neapolitan minor Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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

A string: A, B, C#, D, E#, F#, G, A at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12

D string: D, E#, F#, G, A, B, C#, D at frets 0, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12

G string: G, A, B, C#, D, E#, F#, G at frets 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12

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

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

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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

F♯m
G

bII

Gmaj
A

bIII+

Aaug
B

iv

Bm
C♯

V

C#maj♭5
D

bVI

Dmaj
E♯

VII

G7no5/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.

G lydian #6A mixolydian augmentedB romani minorC# locrian dominantD 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 (G) from above... approach F# from both directions in one phrase.
  • Use it over a minor chord when the bII (G) major triad (the Neapolitan chord) appears in the progression; the scale covers both.
  • Practice the augmented 2nd between b6 (D) 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

Four open strings land in the key here: A, D, G and B, which means chord voicings can leave the middle of the neck ringing. Capo fret 2 maps E fingerings onto this key, so the low shapes stay in a comfortable stretch. Roots occupy 2 on both E strings and 9 on the A. Three sharps, and the box gives out at 6.

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