Neapolitan Major
Introduction
The Neapolitan Major scale is the major counterpart to the Neapolitan Minor. It features a ♭2, natural 3rd, and major 7th, offering a colorful and dramatic sound used in Romantic-era harmonic explorations.
Structure
Formula: 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Interval formula: H – A2 – H – W – W – W – H
Example:
C Neapolitan Major:
C – D♭ – E – F – G – A – B
Use Cases
- Classical cadences and modulations
- Colorful modal interchange in jazz
- Symphonic and film music tension
Diatonic Triads
| Degree | Chord Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | Major | C |
| II | Major | D♭ |
| iii° | Diminished | E° |
| IV | Minor | Fm |
| V | Minor | Gm |
| VI | Diminished | A° |
| VII | Diminished | B° |
Diatonic 7th Chords
| Degree | Chord Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | Major 7 | Cmaj7 |
| II | Major 7 | D♭maj7 |
| iii° | Diminished 7 | E°7 |
| IV | Minor 7 | Fm7 |
| V | Minor 7 | Gm7 |
| VI | Diminished 7 | A°7 |
| VII | Diminished 7 | B°7 |
Common Progressions
- I - II - V: C - D♭ - Gm
- I - iv - vii°: C - Fm - B°
