E Neapolitan Major Scale

Notes in the E Neapolitan Major Scale

Degree Name Note Frequency (A=440)
1 Tonic E 329.628 Hz
♭2 Neapolitan 2nd F 349.228 Hz
♭3 Minor Mediant G 391.995 Hz
4 Subdominant A 440.000 Hz
5 Dominant B 493.883 Hz
6 Major Submediant C# 277.183 Hz
7 Leading Tone D# 311.127 Hz

Interval Pattern

Formula: H-W-W-W-W-W-H
Step Interval Semitones From Note To Note
1 Half Step (H) 1 E F
2 Whole Step (W) 2 F G
3 Whole Step (W) 2 G A
4 Whole Step (W) 2 A B
5 Whole Step (W) 2 B C#
6 Whole Step (W) 2 C# D#
7 Half Step (H) 1 D# E

Chords Built on Scale Degrees

Degree Note Chord Quality
1 E E minor minor
♭2 F F augmented augmented
♭3 G G augmented augmented
4 A A major
5 B B (complex) other
6 C# C# diminished diminished
7 D# D# (complex) other

Key Signature

4 — The E key signature uses F#, C#, G#, D#.

E Neapolitan Major Scale in Practice

The E Neapolitan Major Scale uses the key signature of 4 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#). E major has four sharps and a powerful, resonant sound particularly suited to guitar. It is one of the most common keys in rock and blues music. On guitar, E 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
E 329.628 Hz 330.001 Hz 327.032 Hz
F 349.228 Hz 347.654 Hz 348.834 Hz
G 391.995 Hz 391.111 Hz 392.438 Hz
A 440.000 Hz 440.000 Hz 436.043 Hz
B 493.883 Hz 495.000 Hz 490.548 Hz
C# 277.183 Hz 278.437 Hz 279.067 Hz
D# 311.127 Hz 309.026 Hz 313.951 Hz

Related Scales

Guitar: E Neapolitan Major Scale Positions

The E key offers 4 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like E are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.