B 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
- B 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
1Broot
b2Cminor 2nd
b3Dminor 3rd
4Eperfect 4th
5F#perfect 5th
6G#major 6th
7A#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
- BHCWDWEWF#WG#WA#
Chords by degree
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IBpoint of resttonic
IIIDdefines modal qualitythird
VF#supports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
VIIA#A#
IBB
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IIIDD
IVEE
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IBB
IICC
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This scale on guitar 🎸
See how B 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.