fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON CELLO

C♯ Neapolitan Minor

Natural minor with ♭2 and ♮7. Operatic, late-Romantic colour.

MEIMIDIHumdrum
Choose a root
Meter:Octave per barCrotchets in 4/4Quavers in 4/4Triplets in 4/4
Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 3 title C♯ Neapolitan Minor
Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 2 3 4 5 title C♯ Neapolitan Minor
Verovio
Tempo120 bpm

Audio source: tonejs-instruments by Nick Brosowsky (MIT)

FingeringFollows the scale as it plays — written pitch, matches the staff
C♯C stringADGCoctave nodeoctave nodeoctave nodeoctave nodeAB♯C♯DEF♯G♯ADEF♯G♯AB♯C♯DEG♯AB♯C♯DEF♯G♯AB♯C♯DEF♯G♯AB♯C♯D
Related scales
Diatonic chord harmonisation
Same scale, other instruments
Same scale, other tonics
Modes built on this tonic
Theory reference
Questions
What notes are in the C♯ Neapolitan Minor scale?

The C♯ Neapolitan Minor scale uses the notes C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯, A, B♯ (one octave; the pattern repeats at higher registers).

What's the Neapolitan Minor scale formula?

The Neapolitan Minor scale follows the interval pattern H W W W H W+H H, where W = whole step (2 semitones) and H = half step (1 semitone). Apply that pattern starting on C♯ to get the C♯ Neapolitan Minor scale.

What chords work over C♯ Neapolitan Minor?

Try chord pairings derived from the scale's third, fifth, and seventh degrees as roots — they share the most diatonic notes.

How do I finger C♯ Neapolitan Minor on Cello?

On bowed strings, scales train both fingering and bow technique. First-position fingerings cover most scales up to one octave; second-, third-, and fourth-position shifts unlock the higher register. The 1-2-3-4 finger pattern adapts to the half-step + whole-step positions per scale.

When would I use the Neapolitan Minor scale?

Natural minor with ♭2 and ♮7. Operatic, late-Romantic colour.