D Neapolitan Major Pentatonic Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Open A tuning — fretboard diagram
D Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Open A — Notes and Intervals
The D Neapolitan Major Pentatonic scale is a unique five-note scale that blends the brightness of a major sound with the dark, exotic tension of a flattened second degree. On Guitar, its notes are D, F#, G, Ab, C. It provides a sophisticated, Spanish color that is useful in both classical and fusion music. Commonly used in Classical, Fusion, Flamenco. Notable players include Chick Corea, Al Di Meola. Use over Maj7, bII chords in Neapolitan contexts. Adds classical Spanish color to fusion and world music.
Notes: D, F#, G, Ab, C
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 4P, 5d, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 b5
Formula: 4-H-H-4-W
Number of notes: 5
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
Blends major brightness with the dark tension of a b2 — a sophisticated five-note capsule of the Neapolitan system.
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- D Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Standard Tuning
- D Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Drop D
- D Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in DADGAD
- D Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Open G
- D Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Baritone (B Standard)
- D Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in 7-string
- D Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in 8-string
- D Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Drop C
- D Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Drop B
- D Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Open D
- D Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Half Step Down
- D Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Open E
- D Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Double Drop D
- D Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Open C