From 1100-1600 music used the diatonic scale (white keys of the piano) C, D, E, F, G, A, B and C. From 1600-1900 music used the major, natural minor, harmonic and melodic minor scales. From 1850 to 1920 the chromatic scale was used with the other aforementioned scales.
The chromatic scale contains all the the notes of our musical system. The diagram below is for guitar the note relationship or distances from note to note is the same for all instruments.
The chromatic scale is a twelve tone scale containing twelve semi tones (half steps) played one after each other. Memorize and play the C Chromatic Scale.
The Chromatic Scale is a symmetric scale. This means the scale does not create a mode when starting on different note or scale degree.There are five common symmetrical scales: Chromatic, Whole tone, Diminished, Diminished 2 and Augmented.
ALL scales repeat the same pattern up and down in tone.
C Chromatic Scale= C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab, A, A#/Bb, B and C
The note to note intervals are the same for all keys. This applies to any string, octave, position or instrument. Memorize all note names. Repeat this same process for each string. As you play each note remember to say its note name out loud as you play it. Play all notes up and then down in tone. Repeat this process for all 6 strings: Low E, then A, D, G, B and thin E string. The underlined fret number indicates dot positions:
open 1 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15, 17 19, 21, 24
Now play and say out loud the C Chromatic Scale note by note up and back each string.
Repeat this process for all strings.
E, D#/Eb, D, C#/Db, C, B, Bb/A#, A, G#/Ab, G, F#/Gb, F, E
E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab, A, A#/Bb, B, C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E –
this is C Chromatic Scale starting on open low thick E string.
A, G#/Ab, G, F#/Gb, F, E, D#/Eb, D, C#/ Db, C, B, Bb/A#, A
A, A#/Bb, B, C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab, A –
this is C Chromatic Scale starting on open low A string.
D, C#/Db, C, B, Bb/A#, A, G#/Ab, G, F#/Gb, F, E, D#/Eb, D
D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab, A, A#/Bb, B, C, C#/Db, D –
this is C Chromatic Scale starting on open low D string.
G, G#/Ab, A, A#/Bb, B, C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G –
G, F#/Gb, F, E, D#/Eb, D, C#/ Db, C, B, Bb/A#, A, G#/Ab, G
this is C Chromatic Scale starting on open G string.
B, C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab, A, A#/ Bb, B –
B, A#/Bb, A, G#/Ab, A, G#/Ab, G, F#/Gb, F, E, D#/Eb, D, C#/ Db, C, B
this is C Chromatic Scale starting on open B string.
E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab, A, A#/Bb, B, C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E, –
E, D#/Eb, D, C#/Db, C, B, Bb/A#, A, G#/Ab, G, F#/Gb, F, E
this is C Chromatic Scale starting on open high thin E string.
Repeat this same process for bass, piano and any other instrument.
All materials for personal use only.
Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music
Copyright © 2012