In music theory, a Neapolitan chord (or simply a "Neapolitan") is a major chord built on the lowered second (supertonic) scale degree. It most commonly occurs in first inversion so that it is notated either as ♭II6 or N6 and normally referred to as a Neapolitan sixth chord. In C, a Neapolitan sixth chord in first inversion contains an interval of a sixth between F and D♭. In Schenkerian analysis, it is known as Phrygian II.
When doing roman numeral analysis, it is usually indicated by an "N" rather than a "♭II".
Read more about Neapolitan Chord: Origin of The Name, Harmonic Function, Further Harmonic Contexts, Voice Leading, Inversions
Famous quotes containing the word chord:
“Give me the keys. I feel for the common chord again,
Sliding by semi-tones till I sink to a minor,—yes,
And I blunt it into a ninth, and I stand on alien ground,
Surveying a while the heights I rolled from into the deep;
Which, hark, I have dared and done, for my resting-place is found,
The C Major of this life: so, now I will try to sleep.”
—Robert Browning (1812–1889)