Mixture – bII or Neapolitan – Summary

Definition

The bII, Phrygian II chord, or Neapolitan is a major triad built on the lowered 2nd (b2) scale degree. It is called Phrygian II since it is occurs naturally in the Phrygian mode.

The bII chord or Neapolitan is usually found in first inversion.

The Neapolitan is so often found in first inversion that it is often called the Neapolitan sixth chord.

Function of the bII or Neapolitan

Being a variant of a II chord, the bII or Neapolitan acts as a supertonic and therefore, functions as a pre-dominant chord.

Resolution and part-writing of the bII/N chord

The third of the bII or Neapolitan chord is usually doubled.

When going directly to a V chord, the diminished third melodic interval is the distinctive interval of the N6 to V progression and is therefore permitted.

To avoid the d3 interval interval, the bII6 or N6 may go to a cadential 64 efore the V(7) chord. If resolving from the bII to the cadential 64, keep the b2 scale degree above the b6 scale degree in the bII chord otherwise you will have parallel 5ths.

Examples of the bII or Neapolitan chord

In this manual there are three pages showing examples of the bII or Neapolitan chord in Franz Schubert’s Der Erlkonig and Mel Bonis’ Cello Sonata, Op 67. (See pages in the unit.)

Other examples can be found on the Music Theory Materials website: https://musictheorymaterials.utk.edu/

Some notable examples are:

The Beatles, “Do You Want To Know A secret” (by John Lennon and Paul McCartney)

Burt Bacharach, Carole Sager, Christopher Cross and Peter Allen’s “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)”