C Neapolitan Major Scale

What is the C Neapolitan Major Scale?

The Neapolitan major scale is a major scale with a lowered 2nd degree (♭2), creating a lush but unsettling sound that's been used in classical composition since the Baroque era. The contrast between the bright major tonality and the dark ♭2 makes it one of the most unusual major-type scales available. Here's how the C Neapolitan Major Scale lays out on the fretboard.

Notes and Positions

Minor scale with a lowered 2nd and natural 6th and 7th; tense, dramatic, and brighter than Neapolitan minor. On guitar, the same scale tones repeat in multiple positions, so the real goal is learning how to connect shapes up and down the neck. Use the CAGED boxes as smaller practice areas before linking the full fretboard. In the key of C, the notes are: C, Db, Eb, F, G, A, B.

How to Use It

You'll often hear it in Classical, Film Scores, and Modern Jazz. A good way to internalize the sound is to sing the root, then sing a few scale degrees before you play them.

Loop a simple backing track in the same key and target the root on strong beats. Use the interactive fretboard above to spot repeats of the same note on different strings and frets.