Chromatic Scale

All twelve notes in sequential order

"Chromatic Scale" is a musical scale that includes all twelve unique pitches within an octave, progressing exclusively by half steps (semitones). It encompasses every note in Western music, both natural and altered, resulting in a sequence of consecutive half steps with no repetition of any pitch.

The chromatic scale consists of twelve pitches: C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, and B. Each adjacent pair of notes in the chromatic scale is separated by a half step or semitone. This uniform interval pattern distinguishes the chromatic scale from diatonic scales, such as major and minor scales, which comprise a combination of whole and half steps.

Musicians use the chromatic scale as a fundamental tool for understanding pitch relationships, tuning, and interval patterns in music theory. It serves as a reference for understanding the distance between pitches, and it's essential for tuning instruments, as well as for creating melodies, harmonies, and chords.

In both Western classical and popular music, the chromatic scale finds applications in various contexts. For instance, chromatic passages can be used to create tension, add color, or introduce dissonance in compositions. Moreover, chromaticism is often a significant element in the development of harmonic progressions and modulation to different keys.

The following table shows the notes in each chromatic scale (ascending). Among them, "1" is the first note, and the chromatic scale is named according to the first note, such as "Chromatic Scale Starting on C":

123456789101112
CC#DD#EFF#GG#AA#B
C#DD#EFF#GG#AA#BC
DD#EFF#GG#AA#BCC#
D#EFF#GG#AA#BCC#D
EFF#GG#AA#BCC#DD#
FF#GG#AA#BCC#DD#E
F#GG#AA#BCC#DD#EF
GG#AA#BCC#DD#EFF#
G#AA#BCC#DD#EFF#G
AA#BCC#DD#EFF#GG#
A#BCC#DD#EFF#GG#A

Example of Chromatic Scale

8 Levels of the Chromatic Scale