what is a chromatic scale?

Put simply, a chromatic scale is all twelve notes arranged in ascending or descending order of pitch.

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It’s made up entirely of semitones with each note being a half step above or below the last note.

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More Notes and Scales

What Does Chromatic Mean?

The word chromatic comes from the Greek word “chroma” which means color.

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We use the word chromatic as it allows us to add color and embellish the notes of major and minor scales.

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​How to Notate a Chromatic Scale?

Ascending and Descending Chromatic Scales

Use sharp signs when writing an ascending chromatic scale:

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Here is an ascending chromatic scale, starting on C written out on a stave:

​C chromatic scale ascending

semitone

​How to Notate a Chromatic Scale?

Ascending and Descending Chromatic Scales

Then use flat signs when writing a descending chromatic scale:

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And here is a descending chromatic scale starting on C:

C chromatic scale descending

Make sure you don’t have more than two notes on any one pitch.

No More Than Two Notes on any Pitch

Make sure that you have at least one note on every line and space of the stave.

One Note on Every Pitch

​​How to Notate a Chromatic Scale?

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less than One Note for Every Pitch

More Than Two Notes on any Pitch

More than two types of the pitch C. X

It starts on C, then C sharp followed by C double sharp. ​

No note on the pitch E so this would be incorrect, especially in a music theory exam. X

Examples of the Chromatic Scale in Classical Music

https://youtu.be/A1ggN4xxgxM​

​Chopin - Etude Op. 25 No. 6 in G♯ minor "Double Thirds"

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