B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic Guitar Scale — Open D
Guitar scale in Open D tuning — fretboard diagram
B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Open D — 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
Tuning: Open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D)
About Open D Tuning
Open D tuning (D-A-D-F#-A-D) produces a full D major chord when strummed open, creating a warm, resonant sound that has been a staple of slide guitar, folk, and acoustic music for over a century. The three D strings create a deep, droning foundation that makes even simple chord shapes sound lush and full.
Open D is closely related to Open E (same intervals, just a whole step lower) but puts less tension on the guitar neck, making it safer for acoustic instruments. It was a favorite of Joni Mitchell, who used it extensively for her unique chord voicings, and Bob Dylan, who popularized it in folk-rock. For slide players, Open D provides the same intuitive major-chord-at-any-fret approach as Open G but with a warmer, deeper character.
Notable artists: Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Richie Havens, Bruce Cockburn, Elmore James
Best for: Slide guitar, folk fingerpicking, singer-songwriter arrangements, and acoustic compositions with rich open-string resonance
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Standard Tuning
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Drop D
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in DADGAD
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Open G
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Baritone (B Standard)
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in 7-string
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in 8-string
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Drop C
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Drop B
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Half Step Down
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Open E
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Open A
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Double Drop D
- B Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Open C