Neapolitan Minor
Introduction
The Neapolitan Minor scale is an exotic minor scale with a flattened 2nd and a major 7th, blending darkness and dramatic resolution. It is often associated with Romantic and early modern classical music.
Structure
Formula: 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7
Interval formula: H – W – W – W – H – WH – H
Example:
C Neapolitan Minor:
C – D♭ – E♭ – F – G – A♭ – B
Use Cases
- Romantic piano music (e.g. Chopin, Liszt)
- Orchestral color and drama
- Metal, film, and neo-classical music
Diatonic Triads
| Degree | Chord Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | Minor | Cm |
| II | Major | D♭ |
| III | Diminished | E♭dim |
| IV | Minor | Fm |
| V | Major | G |
| VI | Major | A♭ |
| VII | Diminished | Bdim |
Diatonic 7th Chords
| Degree | Chord Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | Minor/Maj7 | Cm(maj7) |
| II | Major 7 | D♭maj7 |
| III | Half-Diminished | E♭m7♭5 |
| IV | Minor 7 | Fm7 |
| V | Dominant 7 | G7 |
| VI | Major 7 | A♭maj7 |
| VII | Half-Diminished | Bm7♭5 |
Common Progressions
- I - II - V: Cm - D♭ - G
- I - iv - VII: Cm - Fm - Bdim
