A Prometheus Neapolitan Guitar Scale

A Prometheus Neapolitan Scale — Notes and Intervals

The A Prometheus Neapolitan scale is a variation of Scriabin's mystic scale that adds a dark, flattened second degree. On Guitar, it contains the notes A, Bb, C#, D#, F#, G. It combines the otherworldly sound of the Prometheus scale with an extra layer of exotic tension. Commonly used in Contemporary Classical, Experimental, Avant-Garde. Notable players include Alexander Scriabin. Use in atonal or free composition contexts. A specialized tool for experimental music that pushes beyond standard harmony.

Notes: A, Bb, C#, D#, F#, G

Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3M, 4A, 6M, 7m

Degrees: 1 b2 3 #4 5 b6

Formula: H-WH-W-WH-H-W

Number of notes: 6

Musical Character

Adds a b2 to Scriabin's Prometheus scale — layering exotic Neapolitan darkness over mystic transcendence.

Genres & Notable Artists

Genres: Contemporary Classical, Experimental, Avant-Garde

Notable players: Alexander Scriabin

How to Use the A Prometheus Neapolitan Scale

Use in atonal or free composition contexts. A specialized tool for experimental music that pushes beyond standard harmony.

Origin & Background

A variation of Scriabin's Prometheus scale incorporating the Neapolitan b2 for additional exotic tension.

How to Play A Prometheus Neapolitan on Guitar

Place your index finger at fret 5 on the 6th (low E) to find your A root note. Use a three-notes-per-string fingering to cover the full scale in one position, or learn the CAGED shapes to navigate the entire fretboard. An alternative starting point is open position using open A string.

The A Prometheus Neapolitan scale contains both sharps and flats (3 sharps, 1 flat), which is common in altered and exotic scales. This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.

Practice Routine

Set a metronome to 100 BPM and play the A Prometheus Neapolitan scale in groups of four notes, shifting the starting note each repetition. This builds muscle memory across the entire scale range. After a week, try improvising short 4-bar phrases using only these notes.

Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on A to let the characteristic intervals of the Prometheus Neapolitan scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in experimental contexts.

Guitar Tips

On guitar, practice the A Prometheus Neapolitan scale on a single string from the open position to the 12th fret. This trains your ear to hear the intervals linearly and helps with slide guitar applications. Aim for a dark-mystical quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.

Related Scales

• A Prometheus
• A Scriabin
• A Neapolitan major

The A Prometheus Neapolitan scale contains 6 notes (A, Bb, C#, D#, F#, G). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.

CAGED Positions & Patterns for A Prometheus Neapolitan

The A Prometheus Neapolitan scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 6-note pentatonic scale, 2-notes-per-string patterns are the most ergonomic way to traverse the fretboard. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.

Explore A Prometheus Neapolitan Further

• Harmonize the A Prometheus Neapolitan scale — triads & 7th chords
• Browse chord progressions
• A Prometheus Neapolitan on Ukulele
• A Prometheus Neapolitan on Bass
• A Prometheus Neapolitan on Piano

Explore A Prometheus Neapolitan in Other Tunings

• A Prometheus Neapolitan in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
• A Prometheus Neapolitan in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
• A Prometheus Neapolitan in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
• A Prometheus Neapolitan in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
• A Prometheus Neapolitan in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
• A Prometheus Neapolitan in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
• A Prometheus Neapolitan in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
• A Prometheus Neapolitan in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
• A Prometheus Neapolitan in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
• A Prometheus Neapolitan in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
• A Prometheus Neapolitan in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
• A Prometheus Neapolitan in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
• A Prometheus Neapolitan in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
• A Prometheus Neapolitan in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)

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