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A Neapolitan minor scale

The A Neapolitan minor scale is made of the notes A, B♭, C, D, E, F, G♯. It has 7 notes; compared with the major scale its formula is 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7.

Other scales · 7 notes

Note names
  1. 1A
  2. ♭2B♭
  3. ♭3C
  4. 4D
  5. 5E
  6. ♭6F
  7. 7G♯

PatternH – W – W – W – H – W+H – H(W = whole step, H = half step)

Scales from modern jazz and from traditions other than the European one. Degrees are shown relative to the major scale: ♭3 is the third lowered by a half step, ♯4 the fourth raised.

Open in the scale finder

Mode and chords

A harmonic minor with a minor 2nd. It is named after the "Neapolitan sixth", the chord built on the lowered second degree.

Used overAm(maj7)AmAsus4

Put it into practice

The scale played in thirds over one octave: one of the exercises MEG generates from this scale.

This scale is not part of the demo: in the MEG app you will find it in every key, with 24 patterns.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the notes of the A Neapolitan minor scale?
The notes are A, B♭, C, D, E, F, G♯.
What is the pattern of the A Neapolitan minor scale?
The sequence of steps is H – W – W – W – H – W+H – H (W = whole step, H = half step); compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7.
Which chords is the A Neapolitan minor scale used over?
It is used over Am(maj7), Am, Asus4: the chords on the tonic made of the notes of the scale.

Texts and tools by , professional musician and developer. Last updated: October 9, 2026.