How does the chromatic scale work?

Definition. The chromatic scale or twelve-tone scale is a musical scale with twelve pitches, each a semitone, also known as a half-step, above or below its adjacent pitches. As a result, in 12-tone equal temperament (the most common tuning in Western music), the chromatic scale covers all 12 of the available pitches.

What are the notes for a chromatic scale?

Chromatic scales are the scales that includes all twelve tones in sequential order: A, A#/Bb, B, C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G, and G#/Ab. Chromatic scales can start from any of the twelve tones, so there are twelve different iterations or inversions of the scale.

What are the solfege words used for the chromatic scale?

The chromatic solfege syllables fit in between the diatonic pitched do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, and ti. The exact syllable changes depending on the direction you’re singing.

What is chromatic playing?

When you play a Chromatic Scale, you play every single note starting from the first one. So essentially, you play every 1/2 step, instead of skipping some like you do in a Major or Minor Scale.

How do you use the chromatic scale in music?

To play chromatic scales on a piano keyboard, you must play all the white keys and all the black keys in order, one after another. From the first note to the last note, you simply move up the scale in semitones, as every single note is one half-step away from the note before it.

What is a three note chromatic pattern?

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.

How many fingers do you use to play the chromatic scale?

Only three fingers are used to play the scale. They are the thumb (1st finger), index finger (2nd finger) and middle finger (third finger). How to Play Chromatic Scale on Piano with Right Hand Starting on the note, C, going up the scale, the fingering for the right hand is 1313 123 1313 12.

What is the scale pattern for a 2 octave chromatic scale?

Here is a scale pattern for a 2-octave chromatic scale and you could say that it is in A since you start at the 5th fret on the low E string. The numbers are the fingers to use fretting the notes: 1 is the index \\ pointer, 2 is the middle, 3 is the ring and 4 is the pinky finger.

What are the sharp notes in the chromatic scale?

There is a sharp or flat note between every 2 notes (letters) except for B to C and E to F. The notes of the chromatic scale are A, A# or B♭, B, C, C# or D♭, D, D# or E♭, E, F, F# or G♭, G, G# or A♭. Enharmonic equivalents are the sharp \\ flat notes that have 2 names, e.g. A# and B♭ are the same note.

Is the chromatic scale the parent of all other scales?

Both views are correct. Chromatic Scale definition: The chromatic scale is the musical scale that has all 12 possible notes in it with each note separated by the distance of a half step, semitone or 1 fret on the guitar. It is the parent of all other scales.