Summary:
Often described as poignant, dramatic, or surprising, the Neapolitan chord is a powerful expressive tool in tonal music. This guide demystifies this unique chromatic chord, covering its definition, function, voice-leading, and historical use with clear musical examples to help you understand, recognize, and use it in your own musical journey.
Keywords:
Neapolitan chord, Neapolitan sixth, music theory, chromatic harmony, chord progression, predominant chord, voice leading, music analysis, classical music, Romantic music, Beethoven
Introduction:
In the landscape of music theory, certain chords stand out for their distinct emotional color. The Neapolitan chord, often labeled as 'N' or 'N6', is one such chord. It's a major chord built on an unexpected scale degree, creating a moment of intense pathos or drama before resolving. Understanding the Neapolitan is not just an academic exercise; it's a key to appreciating the emotional depth in works by composers from Beethoven to Chopin and beyond, and a technique you can use to enrich your own compositions.
Definition and Function: What is the Neapolitan Chord?
The Neapolitan is a major triad built on the lowered second (supertonic) scale degree. It is a chromatic chord because the root of the chord (b2) is not native to the major or minor scale it appears in.
- In C Major, the second scale degree is D. The lowered second (b2) is Db. The Neapolitan chord is a Db Major triad (Db–F–Ab).
- In C Minor, the second scale degree is D. The lowered second (b2) is Db. The Neapolitan chord is also a Db Major triad (Db–F–Ab).
Its primary harmonic function is predominant. This means it creates harmonic interest and momentum leading to the dominant (V) chord, which then typically resolves to the tonic (I or i). It is an intensification of the more common subdominant (IV) or supertonic (ii) chords.
The chord is most famously used in its first inversion, which is why it's often called the "Neapolitan Sixth" (N6 or n6). Placing the third of the chord in the bass smooths out the bassline and creates more compelling voice-leading possibilities.
Musical Examples: Hearing the Neapolitan in Action
Let's look at how the Neapolitan chord functions within a progression. The most common progression is N6 – V – I (or n6 – V – i in minor keys).
Example 1: Neapolitan Sixth in C Major
This example shows a standard N6-V-I cadence in C Major. The Neapolitan (Db Major) is in first inversion (N6), with F in the bass. Notice the smooth voice leading as it resolves to the Dominant (G Major) and then the Tonic (C Major).
Example 2: Neapolitan in A Minor
The Neapolitan is particularly powerful in minor keys. Here is an n6-V-i progression in A minor. The n6 is a Bb Major chord in first inversion. Listen for the dramatic pull of the Bb moving down to the G# (the leading tone) in the V chord.
Practical Applications and Voice Leading
When writing with the Neapolitan chord, follow these common voice-leading principles for a smooth and effective sound:
- Resolve the b2 Downward: The most important rule is that the root of the Neapolitan chord (the b2 scale degree) almost always resolves down by semitone. In C major, the Db resolves down to B (the leading tone) in the V chord. This descending chromatic motion is the source of the chord's expressive power.
- Double the Bass: In the first-inversion Neapolitan sixth (N6), it is common practice to double the bass note, which is the 4th scale degree. This strengthens its subdominant function.
- Avoid Augmented Intervals: In minor keys, moving from the b2 scale degree (e.g., Bb in A minor) to the raised leading tone (G#) creates a dissonant augmented second interval (A2). While composers sometimes use this for dramatic effect, it's often smoothed out by moving the Bb down to A in the tonic chord that follows the dominant.
Historical Context and Famous Examples
While its roots can be traced to the Baroque era, the Neapolitan chord became a hallmark of the Classical and Romantic periods. Composers like Mozart, Haydn, and especially Beethoven used it to inject moments of profound emotion and surprise.
Perhaps the most famous example is in Beethoven's "Moonlight" Sonata (No. 14, Op. 27 No. 2). In the first movement, set in C# minor, Beethoven introduces a startling D Major chord (the Neapolitan) which creates a sudden, bright flash of color in the otherwise somber texture.
Example 3: Beethoven's "Moonlight" Sonata, 1st Mvt.
Here is the iconic passage in C# minor. The progression moves from the tonic (C#m) to a shocking, root-position Neapolitan (D Major), which then resolves to the dominant seventh (G#7) before returning home.
Fun Facts:
Despite its name, the chord's origin is not definitively traced to the city of Naples, Italy. The name was likely applied in the 19th century because the chord was a characteristic feature of the 18th-century Neapolitan School of opera composers, like Alessandro Scarlatti. Its distinctive "yearning" quality comes from the b2 scale degree's intense pull to resolve downwards to the leading tone or tonic.
Conclusion:
The Neapolitan chord is more than a theoretical curiosity; it's a vital part of the harmonic language of Western music. By understanding its construction as a major triad on the lowered supertonic (bII) and its function as a powerful predominant, you gain a deeper appreciation for the dramatic and emotional capabilities of harmony. Listen for it in the music you love, and don't be afraid to experiment with it in your own compositions to create moments of profound expressive depth.
References:
Kostka, S., & Payne, D. (2018). *Tonal Harmony: With an Introduction to Twentieth-Century Music*. McGraw-Hill Education.
Aldwell, E., & Schachter, C. (2011). *Harmony and Voice Leading*. Schirmer.
Green, D. M. (1979). *Form in Tonal Music: An Introduction to Analysis*. Holt, Rinehart and Winston.