B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic scale is a unique five-note scale that blends the brightness of a major sound with the dark, exotic tension of a flattened second degree. On Guitar, its notes are B, D#, E, F, A. It provides a sophisticated, Spanish color that is useful in both classical and fusion music. Commonly used in Classical, Fusion, Flamenco. Notable players include Chick Corea, Al Di Meola. Use over Maj7, bII chords in Neapolitan contexts. Adds classical Spanish color to fusion and world music.
Notes: B, D#, E, F, A
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 4P, 5d, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 b5
Formula: 4-H-H-4-W
Number of notes: 5
How to Play B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 7 on the 6th (low E) to find your B root note. With only 5 notes, this scale fits comfortably in a two-notes-per-string pattern across all six strings. Focus on learning a single box shape first before connecting positions.
The B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic scale contains 1 sharp (D#). 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 80 BPM and play the B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic 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.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in B. Try a B5 - F5 - A5 progression.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic 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.
The B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (B, D#, E, F, A). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic
The B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic 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 5-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 B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic Further
- Harmonize the B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic on Ukulele
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic on Bass
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic on Piano
Explore B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Other Tunings
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)