fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON TUBA

B♭ 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 5 title B♭ Neapolitan Minor
Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 2 4 6 8 title B♭ Neapolitan Minor
Verovio
Tempo120 bpm

Audio source: synthesised in-browser via Tone.js (MIT)

FingeringFollows the scale as it plays — written pitch, matches the staff
B♭1234partial 2
Harmonic seriesTube of the tonic fingering — B♭ sounds partial 2
partial 1 — A♯0 (+0¢)1partial 2 — A♯1 (+0¢)2partial 3 — F2 (+2¢)3partial 4 — A♯2 (+0¢)4partial 5 — D3 (-14¢)5partial 6 — F3 (+2¢)6partial 7 — G♯3 (-31¢)7-31¢partial 8 — A♯3 (+0¢)8partial 9 — C4 (+4¢)9partial 10 — D4 (-14¢)10partial 11 — E4 (-49¢)11-49¢partial 12 — F4 (+2¢)12
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 B♭ Neapolitan Minor scale?

The B♭ Neapolitan Minor scale uses the notes B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A (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 B♭ to get the B♭ Neapolitan Minor scale.

What chords work over B♭ 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 B♭ Neapolitan Minor on Tuba?

On brass, scales train embouchure + valve / slide coordination across the partials. Slow practice with a tuner reveals intonation tendencies (e.g., the 5th partial sharp on trumpet).

When would I use the Neapolitan Minor scale?

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