A Neapolitan Major Scale
Notes in the A Neapolitan Major Scale
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | A | 440.000 Hz |
| ♭2 | Neapolitan 2nd | A# | 466.164 Hz |
| ♭3 | Minor Mediant | C | 261.626 Hz |
| 4 | Subdominant | D | 293.665 Hz |
| 5 | Dominant | E | 329.628 Hz |
| 6 | Major Submediant | F# | 369.994 Hz |
| 7 | Leading Tone | G# | 415.305 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Half Step (H) | 1 | A | A# |
| 2 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | A# | C |
| 3 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | C | D |
| 4 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | D | E |
| 5 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | E | F# |
| 6 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | F# | G# |
| 7 | Half Step (H) | 1 | G# | A |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | A minor | minor |
| ♭2 | A# | A# augmented | augmented |
| ♭3 | C | C augmented | augmented |
| 4 | D | D | major |
| 5 | E | E (complex) | other |
| 6 | F# | F# diminished | diminished |
| 7 | G# | G# (complex) | other |
Key Signature
3 ♯ — The A key signature uses F#, C#, G#.
A Neapolitan Major Scale in Practice
The A Neapolitan Major Scale uses the key signature of 3 sharps (F#, C#, G#). A major has three sharps (F#, C#, G#) and a bright, clear sound. It is extremely common in popular music and rock, particularly on guitar, and is easily sung by most voices. On guitar, A positions offer open-string resonance for fingering positions for this scale.
The Neapolitan major scale starts with a half step and flat 2nd degree, derived from the Neapolitan chord in classical harmony. It has a rich, romantic character used in classical and contemporary composition.
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 440.000 Hz | 440.000 Hz | 436.043 Hz |
| A# | 466.164 Hz | 463.538 Hz | 470.926 Hz |
| C | 261.626 Hz | 260.740 Hz | 261.626 Hz |
| D | 293.665 Hz | 293.332 Hz | 294.329 Hz |
| E | 329.628 Hz | 330.001 Hz | 327.032 Hz |
| F# | 369.994 Hz | 371.251 Hz | 367.911 Hz |
| G# | 415.305 Hz | 417.657 Hz | 418.601 Hz |
Related Scales
Guitar: A Neapolitan Major Scale Positions
The A key offers 3 sharps (F#, C#, G#) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like A are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.