D Neapolitan Major Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Open A tuning — fretboard diagram
D Neapolitan Major in Open A — Notes and Intervals
The D Neapolitan Major scale is a sophisticated and bright variation of the Neapolitan minor. On Guitar, the notes are D, Eb, F, G, A, B, C#. It provides a chromatic, Spanish feel that is often used in classical music to approach the home key with an elegant, unexpected twist. Commonly used in Classical, Opera, Film Scores. Notable players include Chopin, Verdi, Puccini. Use over bII-V-I cadences. The source of the Neapolitan sixth chord, one of classical music's most elegant chromatic devices.
Notes: D, Eb, F, G, A, B, C#
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6M, 7M
Degrees: 1 b2 b3 4 5 6 7
Formula: H-W-W-W-W-W-H
Number of notes: 7
Tuning: Open A (E-A-E-A-C#-E)
About Open A Tuning
Open A tuning (E-A-E-A-C#-E) produces an A major chord when strummed open. It is structurally identical to Open G tuned up one whole step, delivering a brighter, more tense sound that works particularly well for slide guitar centered on the key of A.
Jimmy Page used Open A with a slide on Led Zeppelin's 'In My Time of Dying' from Physical Graffiti (1975). Rory Gallagher also employed Open A for his raw, energetic slide work. Many players achieve Open A by simply placing a capo at the 2nd fret in Open G tuning, which is why dedicated Open A usage is less commonly discussed. However, without a capo, Open A gives direct access to the open A string resonance and a different feel under the fingers due to the higher tension.
Notable artists: Jimmy Page, Rory Gallagher, Delta blues players
Best for: Slide guitar in the key of A, blues playing, and situations where you need the brightness of Open G tuned up without a capo
Musical Character
The b2 creates a chromatic, Spanish-flavored approach to the tonic — the famous 'Neapolitan chord' (bII) derives its name from this scale's use in Neapolitan opera.
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- D Neapolitan Major in Standard Tuning
- D Neapolitan Major in Drop D
- D Neapolitan Major in DADGAD
- D Neapolitan Major in Open G
- D Neapolitan Major in Baritone (B Standard)
- D Neapolitan Major in 7-string
- D Neapolitan Major in 8-string
- D Neapolitan Major in Drop C
- D Neapolitan Major in Drop B
- D Neapolitan Major in Open D
- D Neapolitan Major in Half Step Down
- D Neapolitan Major in Open E
- D Neapolitan Major in Double Drop D
- D Neapolitan Major in Open C