A Neapolitan major
A Phrygian lower tetrachord combines with natural 6th and 7th degrees; the lower and upper parts of the scale contrast.
Octaves
Musical context
How the scale relates to the chord, mode, key and progression.
Theory
General info
- Name
- A Neapolitan major
- Family
- Exotic scales
- Note count
- 7
- Step formula
- H – W – W – W – W – W – H
- Numeric formula
- 0-1-2-2-2-2-2-1
Notes & degrees
1Aroot
b2Bbminor 2nd
b3Cminor 3rd
4Dperfect 4th
5Eperfect 5th
6F#major 6th
7G#major 7th
Construction
- Overview
- A Phrygian lower tetrachord combines with natural 6th and 7th degrees; the lower and upper parts of the scale contrast.
- Application in music
- The lowered 2nd supports bII – I, while major 6th and 7th degrees distinguish the scale from Neapolitan minor.
- Interval formula
- AHBbWCWDWEWF#WG#
Chords by degree
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IApoint of resttonic
IIICdefines modal qualitythird
VEsupports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
VIIG#G#
IAA
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IIICC
IVDD
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IAA
IIBbBb
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This scale on guitar 🎸
See how A Neapolitan major looks on guitar.
Circle of fifths
The major key on the same tonic and its neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths.
Connections
Practice
Keyboard Trainer
Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.