The Neapolitan minor scale on bass:
notes, formula and position

The Neapolitan minor scale has 7 notes: 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7. In A, that gives A, B♭, C, D, E, F and G♯. A harmonic minor with a lowered second (♭2): it combines the color of Phrygian with the pull of the leading tone.

Also called: Neapolitan minor.

Formula and notes

1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7

The steps between the notes, from the root to the octave: half step – whole step – whole step – whole step – half step – step and a half – half step. In A:

One position on the neck

The Neapolitan minor scale in A, in the 5th-fret position: one finger per fret, from the 4th to the 8th fret, on all four strings. The numbers are the degrees; the root is in gold.

The same position as bass tab (fret by fret, from the low E string to the G string):

G|-5--7-|
D|-6--7--8-|
A|-5--7--8-|
E|-4--5--6--8-|

For another key, move the whole shape: the root on the E string sets the key (3rd fret for G, 8th fret for C).

The sound of the Neapolitan minor scale

Harmonic minor with ♭2. Very dramatic. The ♭2 (Neapolitan chord) creates a unique tension.

You mostly hear it in classical music, film music and metal.

Which chords to play it over

In A, the Neapolitan minor scale fits Am(maj7) and A♭II. On bass, keep the root on the strong beats and use the other notes to connect the chords.

Neighbouring scales

These scales differ from the Neapolitan minor scale by a single note. Comparing them lets you hear exactly what that note brings.

• The harmonic minor scale: 2 instead of ♭2.
• The Phrygian mode: ♭7 instead of 7.
• The Neapolitan major scale: 6 instead of ♭6.
• The double harmonic scale: 3 instead of ♭3.

Practice it with UnitBasse

This diagram shows a single position, in a single key. In UnitBasse, this scale is shown across the whole neck and in all twelve keys, as note names, intervals or degrees, with one color per degree. You can listen to it, see the chords that go with it, switch keys in one click, and play it over a chord chart with BackTrack, the app’s backing band. The app has 69 scales in 12 families.

Frequently asked questions