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The Chromatic Scale: How to Use All 12 Musical Notes
Musical scales are an essential building block of music theory.
They situate your music in a key and determine the character of the notes and chords used in your song.
But aside from the major and minor keys, the modes of the major scale and all the other weird scales out there, there’s another essential scale that’s important to know—the chromatic scale.
Chromatic scales might seem like an obvious scale type, but they’re worth paying attention to as you build your musical vocabulary.
In this article I’ll explain everything you need to know about chromatic scales.
What is the chromatic scale?
The chromatic scale is all twelve notes of the musical alphabet arranged one after the other in a stepwise scale.
Each degree of the scale is separated by a half-step interval so that the chromatic scale covers both the white and black keys of the keyboard.
How is the chromatic scale built?
The chromatic scale is the simplest scale to build because it’s made up of all twelve musical tones.
The chromatic scale is all twelve notes of the musical alphabet arranged one after the other in a stepwise scale.
Since each step in the scale has the same interval value of a single semitone, you can start on any note and follow the pattern to fill in the scale.
That means there’s only a single possible chromatic scale no matter how it’s transposed.
Even so, chromatic scales are often shown beginning on middle C to make things easier.
Here’s the chromatic scale the way it’s normally written starting on C:
Chromatic vs. Diatonic
Chromatic scales are often seen as the opposite of diatonic scales. Diatonic refers to scales built following the pattern of tones and semitones in a major or minor key signature.
Each major and minor scale has a set of chords built from each scale degree called the diatonic chords.
Since the chromatic scale contains all twelve tones, it has no specific chords associated with it.
Since the chromatic scale contains all twelve tones, it has no specific chords associated with it.
Common scales with chromatic notes
The notes from the chromatic scale often show up in other scales.
It’s most obvious in scales with connecting chromatic sections like the blues scales or the bebop scale.
In these situations chromatic notes bridge the gap between chord tones and pentatonic scale steps with stylish chromatic flourishes.
If you think chromatically you can use the concept to learn your way around them faster.
Examples of the chromatic scale in popular music
The chromatic scale is used in a lot of popular music as a device to build tension and release.
Even more popular is the use of chromaticisms as passing tones and chords that are intentionally played out of key to drive the listeners ear to a particular note.
Here’s few example that stuck out to us.
“Blackbird” by the The Beatles
The iconic guitar part form Blackbird uses a chromatic bass line that compliments its diatonic melody.
The song’s guitar part uses a combination of a diatonic melody with a chromatic bass line, creating a distinct sound that is instantly recognizable.
The chromatic movement in the bass is especially prominent in the song’s opening.
“Flight of the Bumblebee” by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
The rapid variations on the chromatic scale used throughout this famous classical piece captured the whirring effect of the chromatic scale.
While originally a classical piece, many popular adaptations, especially in rock and metal guitar solos, showcase the rapid, buzzing effect created by the chromatic scale.
“How to Disappear Completely” by Radiohead
This famous Radiohead tune is a great example of a chromatic chord progression.
This track features a chromatic descent in its chord progression, adding to the ethereal and haunting atmosphere of the song.
How to use the chromatic scale
The chromatic scale isn’t often used on its own, but it can compliment other scales in plenty of situations.
Here’s a few places the chromatic scale works well.
Passing tones and passing chords
In "Creep" by Radiohead, the chord progression in the chorus (G–B–C–Cm) includes a shift from a major to a minor chord on the same root note (C to Cm), a chromatic alteration that adds emotional depth and a sense of anguish to the song.
You don’t need to always play in the song’s main key when you write songs or melody lines.
In fact, one of the easiest ways to break out of a single key is to think chromatically.
In many cases adjacent notes or chords can be connected by smooth chromatic motion—these are call chromaticisms.
Even though the chromatic note or chord doesn’t belong to the main key, the contour of the line’s motion makes the connection for your ears.
Use chromatic passing tones and chords to add interest to boring linear melodies and progressions.
Chromaticisms in harmony
Chromaticism is heavily used in Jazz. This tune from Horace Silver starts with a distinctive theme that features a chromatic descent, immediately setting a mood that's both bluesy and modern. This is followed by a series of chord changes that offer ample opportunity for chromatic improvisation.
At its core, chromatic harmony involves the use of notes outside the prevailing key signature to add complexity and color to chord progressions. This technique can be seen in the subtle insertion of non-diatonic chords.
For instance, a secondary dominant chord—a major chord built on the fifth degree of a scale that’s not part of the original key—can introduce a temporary shift in tonality, creating an unexpected twist in the harmonic narrative.
Another example is the use of diminished or augmented chords as passing chords.
These chords, which contain chromatic notes, serve as bridges, creating a smooth transition between diatonic chords and adding a layer of harmonic sophistication.
As its own sound
The chromatic scale contains every possible musical note. That means it has no similarity to any other scale in your arsenal.
When you think of it that way, the chromatic scale can take on its own sound.
Genres like free jazz typically take advantage of the discordant, disorienting sound of the chromatic scale to manipulate listeners expectations.
Consider the chromatic sound if you ever need a chaotic, unfamiliar feel in your music.
Chromatic magic
The chromatic scale is a music theory concept you should be aware of as you develop your skills.
While it may seem like a trivial set of notes, thinking chromatically is an easy way to unlock fresh sounds.
If you’ve made it through this article you’ll have a great start for working with the chromatic scale in your music.
Michael Hahn is an engineer and producer at Autoland and member of the swirling indie rock trio Slight.
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