Learning the F Neapolitan Scale
Every note in the F Neapolitan scale is natural or flat: F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, D and E. That helps you read it, and the first box begins on the 1st fret of the low E string.
The scale has the same minor third as F minor but a natural 6th and 7th, so it ends with a bright D and E. This is a good key for hearing how the flat second, Gb, colours the opening phrase.
Play the F neapolitan scale
Use the step menu in the player to switch between the single-string run and the box shapes.
Notes of the F neapolitan scale
| Note | Degree | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | 1 | Root | 0 |
| Gb | b2 | Minor 2nd | 1 |
| Ab | b3 | Minor 3rd | 3 |
| Bb | 4 | Perfect 4th | 5 |
| C | 5 | Perfect 5th | 7 |
| D | 6 | Major 6th | 9 |
| E | 7 | Major 7th | 11 |
Structure
F neapolitan scale notes:
How the neapolitan scale is built:
The neapolitan scale is built from the degrees 1 b2 b3 4 5 6 7, which gives the step pattern H-W-W-W-W-W-H (W = whole step, H = half step).
Counting in semitones from the root: 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11. That makes it a 7-note scale.
It is also known as Neapolitan Major.
F Neapolitan Scale Guitar Patterns
Static diagrams of every position shown in the player above.
On one string (low E)
Box pattern — position 1
Box pattern — position 2
Box pattern — position 3
Box pattern — position 4
Box pattern — position 5
3 notes per string — position 1
3 notes per string — position 2
3 notes per string — position 3
3 notes per string — position 4
3 notes per string — position 5
Chords in the F neapolitan scale
Stacking thirds on each degree of the scale gives these chords.
Scales with the same notes as F Neapolitan
These scales use exactly the same notes. Each one starts somewhere else, so the root and the mood change.
| Scale | Starts on degree | Learn the scale |
|---|---|---|
| C Arabic | 5 | Major Locrian |
Other scales on F
Same root, different notes. Play them back to back to hear what changes.
- F Phrygian: shares 5 notes
- F Harmonic Minor: shares 5 notes
- F Melodic Minor: 2 instead of b2
- F Dorian b2: b7 instead of 7
The neapolitan scale in other keys
Keep learning
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
