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
1A#root
b2Bminor 2nd
b3C#minor 3rd
4D#perfect 4th
5E#perfect 5th
6Gmajor 6th
7Amajor 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
- A#HBWC#WD#WE#WGWA
Chords by degree
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IA#point of resttonic
IIIC#defines modal qualitythird
VE#supports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
VIIAA
IA#A#
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IIIC#C#
IVD#D#
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IA#A#
IIBB
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.