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G♯ neapolitan minor Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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

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

D string: D#, E, F##, G#, A, B, C# at frets 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11

G string: F##, G#, A, B, C#, D#, E, F## at frets 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12

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

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

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G# 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:

G♯

i

G♯m
A

bII

Amaj
B

bIII+

Baug
C♯

iv

C♯m
D♯

V

D#maj♭5
E

bVI

Emaj
F𝄪

VII

A7no5/F𝄪

Same notes, different mode

G# 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.

A lydian #6B mixolydian augmentedC# romani minorD# locrian dominantE 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 (A) from above... approach G# from both directions in one phrase.
  • Use it over a minor chord when the bII (A) major triad (the Neapolitan chord) appears in the progression; the scale covers both.
  • Practice the augmented 2nd between b6 (E) and VII the same way you would in harmonic minor: as a deliberate expressive leap.
  • Compare against G# harmonic minor in the same solo: only the 2nd changes, and that single flat is pure classical drama.

How to play G♯ neapolitan minor on guitar

Capo fret 1 and G fingerings transfer straight over, which lets the hand keep a shape it already knows. Five open strings carry a scale tone. A root shows up at 1 on the G string, 4 on both E strings and 11 on the A. Position work gives out at 8, so the second shape needs to be ready before the hand runs past the box.

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