E Neapolitan Major Pentatonic Ukulele Scale
Ukulele 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 Ukulele, 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 Ukulele
On ukulele, find E on the fret 4 area, and work through the scale within a four-fret span. With 5 notes, this scale fits neatly on the ukulele's short fretboard without requiring large stretches.
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
Practice the E Neapolitan Major Pentatonic scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 80 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 5 notes of the scale.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in E. Try a E5 - Bb5 - D5 progression.
Ukulele Tips
On ukulele, the E Neapolitan Major Pentatonic scale sounds particularly charming when played as a melodic pattern over fingerpicked chord shapes. Try integrating scale tones into your strumming patterns for a more sophisticated sound.
The E Neapolitan Major Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (E, G#, A, Bb, D). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Ukulele 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.
Explore E Neapolitan Major Pentatonic Further
- Harmonize the E Neapolitan Major Pentatonic scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- E Neapolitan Major Pentatonic on Guitar
- E Neapolitan Major Pentatonic on Bass
- E Neapolitan Major Pentatonic on Piano