LESSON 5

NEAPOLITAN SIXTH

Ø The Neapolitan 6^th chord is a chromatic, flattened supertonic chord, written in its 1st inversion and distinct in its sound.

The image on the left displays the second scale degree chord as it appears in a minor scale, a diminished chord, and on the right, the same chord but as a lower second scale degree in 1^st inversion. 

https://viva.pressbooks.pub/openmusictheory/chapter/bii6/#:~:text=The%20Neapolitan%20sixth%20%28%E2%99%ADII6%29%20%28%E2%99%AD%20I%20I%206%29,of%20a%20iio6%20i%20i%20o%206%20chord.

 

Ø The Neapolitan 6^th chord mainly comes from the second scale degree of the minor scale as a diminished chord. Having the 2^nd degree lower by a semitone, it transforms into a major chord.

 This image displays the function of the chords as it appears just before a fully diminished 7th chord which is before the dominant.

https://viva.pressbooks.pub/openmusictheory/chapter/bii6/#:~:text=The%20Neapolitan%20sixth%20%28%E2%99%ADII6%29%20%28%E2%99%AD%20I%20I%206%29,of%20a%20iio6%20i%20i%20o%206%20chord.

Ø This chord is also known as a predominant chromatic chord, and It would normally show up just before the dominant when the dominant is leading to the tonic.

These images show the lower second scale-degree chord used as a predominant chord. 

https://viva.pressbooks.pub/openmusictheory/chapter/bii6/#:~:text=The%20Neapolitan%20sixth%20%28%E2%99%ADII6%29%20%28%E2%99%AD%20I%20I%206%29,of%20a%20iio6%20i%20i%20o%206%20chord.

 

Ø This chord can also be taken from a major scale using the 2nd degree, a minor chord. In this case, both the 2^nd and 4^th scale degree must be lower by a semitone to form a major chord.

This image identifies the lower 2^nd scale-degree chord in a melody. 

https://viva.pressbooks.pub/openmusictheory/chapter/bii6/#:~:text=The%20Neapolitan%20sixth%20%28%E2%99%ADII6%29%20%28%E2%99%AD%20I%20I%206%29,of%20a%20iio6%20i%20i%20o%206%20chord.

 

Ø The recognition of the Neapolitan 6^th chord is in 1^st inversion, with scale degree four in the bass and the 2^nd scale degree above the 6^th  scale degree, the 2^nd  scale degree is a 6^th above the 4^th scale degree. 

In this video, you would be able to:

 View a listening and visual example.

Observe how to locate The Neapolitan 6^th chord.

Take note of the characteristics of the Neapolitan 6^th chord.

View a few of the voice leading of the Neapolitan 6^th chord.

You would also view chords that approach The Neapolitan 6^th chord.

 

 In this video, you would be able to view.

How The Neapolitan 6^th is defined?

The history of the Neapolitan 6^th.

The characteristics of the Neapolitan 6^th.

And also part-writing.

In this video, you would be able to view.

How The Neapolitan 6^th is defined?

The history of the Neapolitan 6^th.

Take note of the characteristics of the Neapolitan 6^th chord.

View a few of the voice leading of the Neapolitan 6^th chord.

You would also view chords that approach The Neapolitan 6^th chord.

 

In Bar 3 of this melody, the bD⁶ chord is an N⁶ and a predominant chord to the dominant C major of bar 4

In this video, I am performing the melody above Lift Up the Trumpet with We Have This Hope Melody.