E Neapolitan Major Pentatonic Timple Canario Scale
Timple Canario scale — fretboard diagram
E Neapolitan Major Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The E 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 Timple Canario, its notes are E, G#, A, Bb, D. 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: E, G#, A, Bb, D
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 E Neapolitan Major Pentatonic on Timple Canario
Begin by locating E on your instrument and play through the 5 notes of the Neapolitan Major Pentatonic scale slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.
The E Neapolitan Major Pentatonic scale contains both sharps and flats (1 sharp, 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 80 BPM and play the E 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 E. Try a E5 - Bb5 - D5 progression.
Timple Canario Tips
Practice the E Neapolitan Major Pentatonic scale slowly and evenly on your instrument, focusing on tone quality for each of the 5 notes before building speed.
The E Neapolitan Major Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (E, G#, A, Bb, D). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Timple Canario with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for E Neapolitan Major Pentatonic
The E 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.