Neapolitan Chords: What They Are And How To Use Them

By January 27, 2015

Hey guys, I decided to make a very random but informative video about Neapolitan Chords!

These chords are my absolute favorite when it comes to chromatic harmony.

Neapolitan Chords:

Neapolitan Chords have a very distinct sound in the chord progression.
A Neapolitan Chord is a bII chord.
If we are in A minor, the Neapolitan chord would be B-flat Major.
Usually Neapolitan chords are found in minor keys but exist in Major keys as well.
The Neapolitan chord is typically in 1st Inversion meaning that the 3rd of the chord will be the lowest sounding note or bass note of the chord.
Neapolitan chords resolve best with a V chord. Ex. In E minor the Neapolitan would be F Major / A (in the bass) and it would resolve to a B Major or B7 chord (V or dominant chord).