G Neapolitan Major Guitar Scale

G Neapolitan Major Scale — Notes and Intervals

The G Neapolitan Major scale is a sophisticated and bright variation of the Neapolitan minor. On Guitar, the notes are G, Ab, Bb, C, D, E, F#. It provides a chromatic, Spanish feel that is often used in classical music to approach the home key with an elegant, unexpected twist. Commonly used in Classical, Opera, Film Scores. Notable players include Chopin, Verdi, Puccini. Use over bII-V-I cadences. The source of the Neapolitan sixth chord, one of classical music's most elegant chromatic devices.

Notes: G, Ab, Bb, C, D, E, F#

Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6M, 7M

Degrees: 1 b2 b3 4 5 6 7

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

Number of notes: 7

Musical Character

The b2 creates a chromatic, Spanish-flavored approach to the tonic — the famous 'Neapolitan chord' (bII) derives its name from this scale's use in Neapolitan opera.

Genres & Notable Artists

Genres: Classical, Opera, Film Scores

Notable players: Chopin, Verdi, Puccini

How to Use the G Neapolitan Major Scale

Use over bII-V-I cadences. The source of the Neapolitan sixth chord, one of classical music's most elegant chromatic devices.

Origin & Background

Named after the Neapolitan school of 18th-century Italian opera. Source of the Neapolitan sixth chord.

How to Play G Neapolitan Major on Guitar

Place your index finger at fret 3 on the 6th (low E) to find your G 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 G string.

The G Neapolitan Major scale contains both sharps and flats (1 sharp, 2 flats), which is common in altered and exotic scales. Its relative minor is E minor, which shares the same notes.

Practice Routine

Practice the G Neapolitan Major scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 100 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 7 notes of the scale.

Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on G to let the characteristic intervals of the Neapolitan Major scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in film scores contexts.

Guitar Tips

On guitar, try playing the G Neapolitan Major scale using legato technique (hammer-ons and pull-offs) to develop a smooth, connected sound. This is particularly effective for longer scale runs. Aim for a elegant quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.

Related Scales

• G Neapolitan major pentatonic
• G Phrygian
• G Lydian

The G Neapolitan Major scale contains 7 notes (G, Ab, Bb, C, D, E, F#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.

CAGED Positions & Patterns for G Neapolitan Major

The G Neapolitan Major 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 7-note scale, it also lends itself to 3-notes-per-string (3NPS) patterns that facilitate legato playing and diagonal shifting. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.

Explore G Neapolitan Major Further

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

Explore G Neapolitan Major in Other Tunings

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

← Back to all Guitar scales