B Neapolitan Major at a glance
Neapolitan major is rare but striking. It pairs a flat second and a minor third with a bright major sixth and seventh, which gives it that operatic flair. Built on the root B, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where B is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | B C D E F♯ G♯ A♯ |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2m · 3m · 4P · 5P · 6M · 7M |
| Step pattern | H W W W W W H |
| Chords in the key | BmC+D+EF♯(♭5)G♯°A♯–C–E |
Chords in the B Neapolitan Major scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
B Neapolitan Major on the piano
Improvisation drone · B
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano B Neapolitan Major uses three black keys (F♯, G♯ and A♯) and four white.
B · C · D · E · F♯ · G♯ · A♯
Play B Neapolitan Major on the online piano
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B Neapolitan Major on the guitar
B Neapolitan Major - fr 0–12
B Neapolitan Major on the staff
Notes of the B Neapolitan Major scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | C | minor 2nd2m | 1 | |
| 3 | D | minor 3rd3m | 3 | |
| 4 | E | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | F♯ | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | G♯ | major 6th6M | 9 | |
| 7 | A♯ | major 7th7M | 11 |
What makes B Neapolitan Major different
Neapolitan major, despite the name, has a minor third: it's melodic minor with a lowered second. That ♭2 is the only note separating it from melodic minor, and it sits a half step above the tonic like the Neapolitan chord of classical harmony. The upper half (5, 6, 7 and the octave) is the same as in the major scale, which is where the “major” in the name comes from. Its tonic chord is minor, while its IV and V chords are major. On B, B Neapolitan Major has C where B Melodic Minor has C♯; every other note is shared with B Melodic Minor (B C♯ D E F♯ G♯ A♯).
How to use the B Neapolitan Major scale
The diatonic chords of B Neapolitan Major are: i = Bm, II+ = C+, III+ = D+, IV = E, V♭5 = F♯(♭5), vi° = G♯°, VII = A♯–C–E. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in B Neapolitan Major. Each one in the chord table on this page opens its own diagram and progressions.
Neapolitan major is rare but striking. It pairs a flat second and a minor third with a bright major sixth and seventh, which gives it that operatic flair.
Practice tips
Lean on the flat second as a chromatic neighbour to the tonic - gives this scale its operatic gravitas.
Formula & step pattern
The B Neapolitan Major scale follows melodic minor with a flat second, so a minor third under a major sixth and seventh. Step pattern: H - W - W - W - W - W - H. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2m · 3m · 4P · 5P · 6M · 7M. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Where you will hear B Neapolitan Major
Start with the music described above: listen for B Neapolitan Major in it and transcribe a few short phrases by ear. It's the quickest way to learn how the scale sounds.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the B Neapolitan Major scale?
The B Neapolitan Major scale contains B, C, D, E, F♯, G♯ and A♯.
What is the formula for the B Neapolitan Major scale?
B Neapolitan Major follows melodic minor with a flat second, so a minor third under a major sixth and seventh.
Is B Neapolitan Major a major or minor scale?
B Neapolitan Major is a neapolitan major scale. Melodic minor with a flat second - operatic, dramatic and angular.
What chords belong to the B Neapolitan Major scale?
The diatonic chords of B Neapolitan Major are Bm, C+, D+, E, F♯(♭5), G♯°, A♯–C–E.
Which genres use B Neapolitan Major?
Neapolitan major is rare but striking. It pairs a flat second and a minor third with a bright major sixth and seventh, which gives it that operatic flair.
How do you play the B Neapolitan Major scale on the piano?
On the piano B Neapolitan Major uses three black keys (F♯, G♯ and A♯) and four white.
What is the difference between B Neapolitan Major and B Melodic Minor?
On B, B Neapolitan Major has C where B Melodic Minor has C♯; every other note is shared with B Melodic Minor (B C♯ D E F♯ G♯ A♯).
How do I practise the B Neapolitan Major scale?
Lean on the flat second as a chromatic neighbour to the tonic - gives this scale its operatic gravitas.