Neapolitan Chord
A major triad on the lowered second degree, most often in first inversion
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A Neapolitan chord is a major triad built on the lowered second degree, mostly in minor, also in major. In C minor it is D♭–F–A♭. It normally appears in first inversion, with 4 in the bass, hence the name Neapolitan sixth, or N6.
It works as a subdominant or predominant, leading to the dominant or a six-four. Typically the bass rises from 4 to 5 while ♭6 falls to 5, the two closing on the dominant by contrary motion. It often follows iv or ♭VI.
It is not an augmented sixth chord. An augmented sixth centres on the augmented sixth between ♭6 and ♯4, whereas the Neapolitan is a full major triad; both lead to the dominant, but their construction and resolution differ. Nor does it establish a new tonic: it is a chromatic chord within the old key.
Sources
- 构造、转位与解决参 The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, "Neapolitan chord"；本文为原创表述
Used for fact-checking only; all prose is original.