The Coolest Chord Name Ever

Two of everyone’s favorite things are ice cream and music. So the “coolest chord name ever” award is definitely given to Neapolitan chords. Sadly, it is not named after the type of ice cream though. The chord gets it name because it is associated with the Neapolitan School. (Yes, I know it’s not as cool.) Many important composers of the 18th century went to the school. In this lesson, you’ll learn everything you need to know about this tasty chord as well as hear some examples of the chord being used.

What Is A Neapolitan Chord?

While the name may seem like it would be something complicated, it is actually fairly simple. A Neapolitan chord is a major chord built of the flattened second of the scale degree. Effectively it is just an extra major chord often used to replace others in a key. It is also referred to as Phrygian II because, in the minor scales, the chord is built off of the corresponding notes of the Phrygian mode.

Often the Neapolitan is called the Neapolitan sixth chord. This is because it occurs in the “first inversion” of the chord. Let’s break that down;

An inversion of a chord expresses the position of the bass note in relation to the other tones in the chord.

The first inversion is a voicing of a chord with the third in the bass and the root a sixth above it.

For instance, the C major chord’s notes are C, E, and G. C is the root, E is the third, and G is the fifth. So “first inversion” of C major would have E as the bass note. The interval between the bass note, also the third, (E) and the root (C) is a sixth.

E-F-F#-G-G#-A-A#-B-C (Musical Alphabet) 1-2-3—4–5—6–7—8-9 That is a total of 9 half steps which is eqivalent to a major sixth.

The term “Neapolitan sixth chord” describes the relationship between the root note and it’s third. In the case of the Neapolitan chord, it is just a major triad. consisting of the root, the third and fifth.

In the case of C major, the Neapolitan chord would be Db Major.

The major second in the key of C major is D. that flattened is then Db. Then you build the major chord off of that. The third of Db is F and the fifth is Ab.

The interval between F (The third) and Db (the root) is a sixth; this is where Neapolitan sixth comes from.

Using Neapolitan Chords

Often the Neapolitan chord is used to replace the IV or the II in a chord progression.

Watch this cover video of The Beatles song “Do You Want To Know A Secret.” It’s written in E minor. The Neapolitan chord in E minor would be F major. the chord progression is

Em Am Em You’ll never know how much I really love you G F B7 You’ll never know how much I really care

Another example of the Neapolitan chord is in “Mother’s Little Helper” by The Rolling Stones. This song is also written in E minor and thus the Neapolitan is F Major.

Em “Kids are different today,” I hear every mother say F D Mother needs something today to calm her down

Thanks For Reading!

Now go write some chord progressions with some Neapolitan chords while eating a bowl of ice cream.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns leave a comment below. If you enjoyed this lesson be sure to check out the others. And remember, Shred ‘Till You’re Dead!