Chromatic Scale
A scale comprising all twelve semitones within an octave
Category
scales
Pronunciation
kroh-MAT-ik SKAIL
Origin
Greek
Length
91 words · 1 min read
About Chromatic Scale
The chromatic scale ascends or descends entirely in semitones, using every available pitch. It is tonally neutral — belonging to no particular key — and is used for colour, tension, and virtuosic display.
More scales terms
Octatonic Scale
View all scalesterms →An eight-note scale built from alternating whole tones and semitones, widely used in late Romantic and modern music.
Natural Minor ScaleThe basic minor scale using only the notes of its key signature, without any raised sixth or seventh degrees.
Bebop ScaleA jazz scale that adds one chromatic passing note to a standard seven-note scale, ensuring chord tones fall on strong beats.
Minor ScaleA seven-note scale with a flattened third degree relative to the major
Pentatonic ScaleA five-note scale found in musical traditions worldwide
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v1 · 09/04/2026Browse all terms →