
a D# note between chords such as Cmaj7 and Dm7) or part of longer sequences of notes. This can be done with single chromatic notes (e.g. Using chromatic notes between chords are a common approach, not at least in jazz. This can create an interested effect and is relatively common in blues. A specific technique that can be used is to "slide down" from a black key to the following white key on the right. In the C Major, for example, the scale tones are C, D, E, F, G, A, B and the passing tones are Db, Eb, Gb, Ab, Bb. Many scales include seven notes and there are five passing notes in a such scale. These can be seen as the opposite of target notes. Chromatic passing tonesĬhromatic notes can be used as passing notes, which are played shortly between notes in the key. This short melody line shows how a bass walk made by adding chromatic notes (F# in the second bar and D in the third bar) can be constructed. You can also bring in more octaves in the exercise. As you get more secure, you can gradually increase the tempo. The exercise can be mirrored for the left hand. Begin slowly and play strictly according to the advised fingerings. Notice the instructions for fingerings: you should mainly alternate the thumb and the middle finger. This scale can be used for an exercise of the control over your fingers: Therefore, the G Chromatic Scale would begin at G and consist of all notes to the next G including one octave. The formula is uncomplicated: all notes are included.
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You will not find pictures of chromatic scales in all keys, it would be somewhat unnecessary due to the similarities. Now that you know what a chromatic scale is, lets learn a common chromatic scale shape that uses all six strings on the guitar. If we take the Chromatic Scale in C as an example, it can be played as:Īscending: C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B, Cĭescending: C, B, Bb, A, Ab, G, Gb, F, E, Eb, D, Db, C This can be referred to as a chromatic movement.

For example, in a bass walk sequence of notes such as G - F# - F - E from the G to the Em chord. Chromatic scales are not very useful as groundworks for a composition, instead they can be integrated as parts of songs. As the picture below shows, all notes in the octave are included. The Chromatic Scale consists of twelve notes that each are one semi-step apart (it can be compared with the contrary diatonic scale), and is also called the Half-tone Scale.
