subject: Guitar Lesson -- The Chromatic Scale Q & A [print this page] There seems to be quite a lot of confusion out there about what the Chromatic Scale is and how it's used. Here's some answers.
Here is the Chromatic Scale.
A A#/Bb B C C#/Db D D#/Eb E F F#/Gb G G#/Ab A ->
It is also called a 12-tone scale because there are 12 different notes in the scale.
It is also called a 1/2 step scale because the distance between each note is 1/2 step.
Here are some questions that I've run into:
Q. How do you build chromatic scales?
A. You can start this scale from any note. It is a repeating,never ending scale. The only reasons that you mostly see it depicted starting from A is because A is the first note of the musical alphabet. It is also the first note on a piano.
Q. What are some tips for learning this scale?
A. First of all know that there is no difference between "The Chromatic Scale" and a chromatic scale. You can create a chromatic scale from any note. "The Chromatic Scale" (with the capital letters) is just a definition.
After that there are only two other things to remember. The first is that B-C and E-F are natural half-steps. Always. The second is knowing what sharps and flats do. Sharps (#) raise a note 1/2 step while flats (b) lower a note 1/2 step. This is why there are 2 different names for many of the notes. For example, whether you call a note an A# or a Bb depends on whether you are raising an A or lowering a B.
Other than that, the best way is to simply memorize it forwards and backwards.
Q. What style of music is a this scale played in?
A. The short answer -- any style. It's just a series of consecutive notes. To play something "chromatically" doesn't necessarily mean that you have to play all 12 notes of the scale.. It just means that you played a few notes together that way in a chromatic fashion.
Q. Does any musician actually PLAY the chromatic scale?
A. Absolutely, usually in short spurts -- not usually all 12 notes.
Q. What's the point of the chromatic scale on the bass guitar.
A. It can be used to find all of the notes on your bass for one thing. Also, bass guitars play "licks" too, and some of these licks are chromatic in nature.
Q. Is this scale possible on a harp?
A. Yes it is because most harps ARE chromatic scales just like the piano. Some harps are tuned "diatonic". All that means is that only the actual letter names are used on the strings (ABCDEFG). The sharps and flats are effected with pedals.
Q. What are the possible uses of the chromatic scale?
A. This scale is a basic building block in music. If you have it memorized in your head, and can visualize 3 or 4 1/2 steps up or down from any note, you can:
1.Identify any note on any stringed instrument.
2. Understand scale and chord construction
3. Transpose music
This scale is not hard to learn, and knowing it can pay big dividends for you.
