| The chromatic scale is a musical scale with twelve pitches, each a semitone or half step apart. It is the scale of all of the possible notes in Western music. Chromatic scale full octave ascending and descending on C: |
 |
Here are two versions of the chromatic scale, one with sharps, the other with flats:C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B Notice there are no sharps or flats between E and F, nor are there any between B and C. Notes in the same column are enharmonically equivalent: E# shares the pitch of F, and Fb shares the pitch of E. This does not mean they are the same, even though they sound the same. One step up the chromatic scale is called a semitone. C# is a semitone up from C, and E is a semitone down from F. Two steps are called a whole tone. They are also often referred to as the half step and whole step, respectively. |
All 12 Major and Harmonic Minor scales in addition to a full range chromatic scale. Major: G, C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, D, A, E, B, F#, C# Harmonic Minor: Ab, Eb, Bb, F, C, G, D, A, E, B, C#, F# Josec Neto playing "Aquarela do Brasil" on a bamboo sax to demonstrate chromatic notes on the instrument. |
Prev Top Next |
