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You are here: Home / Advanced Guitar Scales / Chromatic scale

September 4, 2013 By Richie Leave a Comment

Chromatic scale


A chromatic scale is a twelve note scale with a numeric formula of 1-♭2-2-♭3-3-4-♭5-5-♭6-6-♭7-7-8/1. The chromatic scale is a series of 12 half steps or semitones and represents all of the tones available to us in Western music. There are numerous ways to write a chromatic scale but the example below is written as a harmonic chromatic formula which is the same for both ascending and descending, some alternative writing methods specify the use of sharps for ascending and flats for descending.

An improviser would rarely play the chromatic scale from tonic to tonic, the chromatic scale is used so an improvisor may take a small passage from the scale for use in a melodic phrase. There are three chromatic scale patterns below, two are grouped together as ascending (upwards) and descending (downwards), these two scales are used when you wish to stay "in position" when improvising. The third scale pattern labelled alternate is used if you wish to shift positions during a chromatic melody.


Chromatic scale profile

Numeric formula 1-♭2-2-♭3-3-4-♭5-5-♭6-6-♭7-7-8/1
Notation formula (key of C) C-D♭-D♮-E♭-E♮-F-F♯-G-A♭-A♮-B♭-B♮-C/1
Stepping half, half, half, half, half, half, half, half, half, half, half, half
Tonal semi-tone, semi-tone, semi-tone, semi-tone, semi-tone, semi-tone, semi-tone, semi-tone, semi-tone, semi-tone, semi-tone, semi-tone
Harmonized triads (key of C) n/a
Harmonized tetrads (key of C) n/a


Chromatic scale patterns

  • Pattern (ascending)
  • Pattern (descending)
  • Pattern (alternate)
  • Help
  • Guitar Neck Notes
  • Octave Chart
Chromatic scale pattern (ascending)
Chromatic scale pattern (descending)
Chromatic scale pattern (alternate)
Scale pattern reading guide
All notes on guitar neck
Guitar octave chart guide


Chromatic scale audio sample(s)

C Chromatic scale alternate pattern https://www.ricguitar.com/wp-content/uploads/chromatic-scale/c-chromatic-scale-alternate-pattern.mp3




Filed Under: Advanced Guitar Scales, Guitar Scales

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