D 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 D, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where D is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | D E♭ F G A B C♯ |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2m · 3m · 4P · 5P · 6M · 7M |
| Step pattern | H W W W W W H |
| Chords in the key | DmE♭+F+GA(♭5)B°C♯–E♭–G |
Chords in the D Neapolitan Major scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
D Neapolitan Major on the piano
Improvisation drone · D
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano D Neapolitan Major uses two black keys (E♭ and C♯) and five white.
D · E♭ · F · G · A · B · C♯
Play D Neapolitan Major on the online piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
D Neapolitan Major on the guitar
D Neapolitan Major - fr 0–12
D Neapolitan Major on the staff
Notes of the D Neapolitan Major scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | E♭ | minor 2nd2m | 1 | |
| 3 | F | minor 3rd3m | 3 | |
| 4 | G | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | A | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | B | major 6th6M | 9 | |
| 7 | C♯ | major 7th7M | 11 |
What makes D 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 D, D Neapolitan Major has E♭ where D Melodic Minor has E; every other note is shared with D Melodic Minor (D E F G A B C♯).
How to use the D Neapolitan Major scale
The diatonic chords of D Neapolitan Major are: i = Dm, II+ = E♭+, III+ = F+, IV = G, V♭5 = A(♭5), vi° = B°, VII = C♯–E♭–G. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in D 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 D 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 D Neapolitan Major
Start with the music described above: listen for D 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 D Neapolitan Major scale?
The D Neapolitan Major scale contains D, E♭, F, G, A, B and C♯.
What is the formula for the D Neapolitan Major scale?
D Neapolitan Major follows melodic minor with a flat second, so a minor third under a major sixth and seventh.
Is D Neapolitan Major a major or minor scale?
D Neapolitan Major is a neapolitan major scale. Melodic minor with a flat second - operatic, dramatic and angular.
What chords belong to the D Neapolitan Major scale?
The diatonic chords of D Neapolitan Major are Dm, E♭+, F+, G, A(♭5), B°, C♯–E♭–G.
Which genres use D 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 D Neapolitan Major scale on the piano?
On the piano D Neapolitan Major uses two black keys (E♭ and C♯) and five white.
What is the difference between D Neapolitan Major and D Melodic Minor?
On D, D Neapolitan Major has E♭ where D Melodic Minor has E; every other note is shared with D Melodic Minor (D E F G A B C♯).
How do I practise the D Neapolitan Major scale?
Lean on the flat second as a chromatic neighbour to the tonic - gives this scale its operatic gravitas.