G Neapolitan Major Scale

Notes in the G Neapolitan Major Scale

Degree Name Note Frequency (A=440)
1 Tonic G 391.995 Hz
♭2 Neapolitan 2nd G♯ 415.305 Hz
♭3 Minor Mediant A♯ 466.164 Hz
4 Subdominant C 261.626 Hz
5 Dominant D 293.665 Hz
6 Major Submediant E 329.628 Hz
7 Leading Tone F♯ 369.994 Hz

Interval Pattern

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

Chords Built on Scale Degrees

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

Key Signature

1 — The G key signature uses F♯.

G Neapolitan Major Scale in Practice

The G Neapolitan Major Scale uses the key signature of 1 sharp (F♯). G major has one sharp (F#) and is one of the most common keys in folk, country, and rock music. Its open, resonant quality makes it ideal for guitar-based music. On guitar, G 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. When played starting on G, the 7 notes are G, G♯, A♯, C, D, E, F♯. In this key the signature has 1 sharp (F♯). G is the most natural key for guitar, with the open G and D strings providing a resonant tonic and dominant pedal. Bluegrass, country, and folk music favor G because open-position chords ring clearly and fingerpicking patterns fall under the hand naturally.

Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments

Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.

Note Equal Temp. Pythagorean Just Intonation
G 391.995 Hz 391.111 Hz 392.438 Hz
G♯ 415.305 Hz 417.657 Hz 418.601 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

Related Scales

Guitar: G Neapolitan Major Scale Positions

The G key offers 1 sharp (F♯) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like G are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.