C Neapolitan Major is a world scale from the bright, consonant major family. Major with flatted 2nd — bittersweet, neoclassical sound. The Neapolitan Major scale contains 7 notes: C, Db, Eb, F, G, A, B. With a formula of 1 - b2 - b3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7, it uses all seven notes of the diatonic system. This advanced scale opens up sophisticated harmonic possibilities.
The C Neapolitan Major scale is constructed using the interval formula 1 - b2 - b3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7, which means it contains the intervals Root (1), Minor Second (b2), Minor Third (b3), Perfect Fourth (4), Perfect Fifth (5), Major Sixth (6), Major Seventh (7) above the root C. The notes are C, Db, Eb, F, G, A, B. Starting from the C major scale (C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B), the Neapolitan Major scale takes the natural major degrees. Key characteristics: b2 + major 3rd + major 7th. Bittersweet quality.
C Neapolitan Major sounds bright, uplifting, and consonant. The major third (E) gives it its characteristic happy quality, while the perfect fifth (G) provides harmonic stability. The natural half-step intervals create gentle forward motion. The emotional feeling is one of brightness, resolution, and optimism. This scale is the foundation of Western music and appears in virtually every genre from classical to pop.
C Neapolitan Major works best in Classical, Opera, 18th Century Italian music. Use it over major chord progressions to create bright, consonant melodies. It works beautifully as a starting point for improvisation over I-IV-V and I-V-vi-IV progressions.
Compatible chords and progressions:
1. bII - I
2. bII - V
Related scales:
- Neapolitan Minor
- Major (Ionian)
- Double Harmonic Major
Practice Routine for C Neapolitan Major:
5 minutes: Play each note of the C Neapolitan Major scale slowly, one at a time. Listen carefully to the character of each interval. Ascending and descending through the scale. Focus on clean, even tone on each note.
10 minutes: Practice the scale with a metronome at 60 BPM. Play one note per beat ascending, then descending. Gradually increase to two notes per beat (eighth notes) and four notes per beat (sixteenth notes). Focus on timing precision.
20 minutes: Apply the scale over a backing track in C major. Improvise melodies using only the Neapolitan Major scale notes. Experiment with different rhythmic patterns, slides, bends, and vibrato. Focus on musical phrasing.
30 minutes: Learn the scale in multiple positions across the fretboard. Connect different positions with smooth transitions. Practice playing the scale over a chord progression (bII - I). Record yourself and analyze your phrasing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Playing too fast before understanding the scale's sound character
- Not listening to the intervals individually
- Ignoring the scale's unique character (each scale has a distinctive mood)
- Skipping the descending practice — descending is equally important
Advanced Tips: Explore the scale's modes and related scales. Practice with odd time signatures and asymmetric rhythms. Use the scale over non-standard chord progressions to discover new sounds.
pages.scaleDetail.frequentlyAskedQuestions
What is the C Neapolitan Major scale?
C Neapolitan Major is a world scale consisting of 7 notes: C, Db, Eb, F, G, A, B. The formula is 1 - b2 - b3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7. Major with flatted 2nd — bittersweet, neoclassical sound.
What notes are in the C Neapolitan Major scale?
The C Neapolitan Major scale contains the notes C, Db, Eb, F, G, A, B. These correspond to the formula 1 - b2 - b3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7, which represents the intervals Root (1), Minor Second (b2), Minor Third (b3), Perfect Fourth (4), Perfect Fifth (5), Major Sixth (6), Major Seventh (7) above the root C.
What is the formula for the C Neapolitan Major scale?
The formula for the C Neapolitan Major scale is 1 - b2 - b3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7. This means it uses the Root (1), Minor Second (b2), Minor Third (b3), Perfect Fourth (4), Perfect Fifth (5), Major Sixth (6), Major Seventh (7) intervals from the root note C.
How do you play the C Neapolitan Major scale on guitar?
To play the C Neapolitan Major scale on guitar, start at the root note C and follow the fretboard pattern. Each note corresponds to a specific fret on the guitar. Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to see all positions and fingerings.
What is the C Neapolitan Major scale used for?
C Neapolitan Major is commonly used in Classical, Opera, 18th Century Italian music. It works well over major chord progressions for bright, consonant melodies.
Is the C Neapolitan Major scale the same as C major?
Yes, the C Neapolitan Major scale is the same as the C major scale. They share the same notes and intervals.
What chords go well with the C Neapolitan Major scale?
Chords that work well with the C Neapolitan Major scale include bII - I, bII - V. The scale's major character makes it compatible with Classical and Opera chord progressions.