F Neapolitan Major Pentatonic Guitar Scale

F Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Open C — Notes and Intervals

The F 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 F, A, Bb, B, Eb. 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: F, A, Bb, B, Eb

Intervals: 1P, 3M, 4P, 5d, 7m

Degrees: 1 2 3 4 b5

Formula: 4-H-H-4-W

Number of notes: 5

Tuning: Open C (C-G-C-G-C-E)

About Open C Tuning

Open C tuning (C-G-C-G-C-E) produces a C major chord when strummed open, with an enormous bass depth from the low C string (two whole steps below standard E). The tuning spans a vast tonal range that gives compositions an almost orchestral scope, making it a favorite for both delicate fingerstyle and crushing heavy music.

John Butler's 'Ocean' — one of the most famous modern fingerstyle compositions — is performed in Open C, showcasing the tuning's incredible dynamic range from thundering bass to shimmering harmonics. Devin Townsend uses Open C extensively across his catalog for its massive, wall-of-sound potential. Jimmy Page used it on Led Zeppelin's 'Friends' from Led Zeppelin III. Soundgarden also explored Open C. The three C strings and two G strings create powerful octave resonances that make even simple chord shapes sound huge.

Notable artists: John Butler, Devin Townsend, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Soundgarden, William Ackerman

Best for: Cinematic fingerstyle compositions, progressive metal walls of sound, post-rock textures, and any music that needs enormous tonal range from deep bass to bright treble

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

• F Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Standard Tuning
• F Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Drop D
• F Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in DADGAD
• F Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Open G
• F Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Baritone (B Standard)
• F Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in 7-string
• F Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in 8-string
• F Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Drop C
• F Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Drop B
• F Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Open D
• F Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Half Step Down
• F Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Open E
• F Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Open A
• F Neapolitan Major Pentatonic in Double Drop D

← All Guitar scales in Open C tuning