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Chromatic scale
| Qualities |
| Number of pitch classes |
12 |
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The chromatic scale is a musical scale with twelve pitches, each a semitone apart. On a modern piano or other equal-tempered instrument, all the half steps are the same size. An equal tempered chromatic scale is a nondiatonic scale having no tonic because of the symmetry of its equally spaced tones.[1]
The most common conception of the chromatic scale before the 13th century was the Pythagorean chromatic scale. Due to a different tuning technique, the twelve semitones in this scale have two slightly different sizes. Thus, the scale is not perfectly symmetric. Many other tuning systems, developed in the ensuing centuries, share a similar asymmetry. Equally spaced pitches are provided only by equal temperament tuning systems, which are widely used in contemporary music.
The term chromatic derives from the Greek word chroma, meaning color. Chromatic notes are traditionally understood as harmonically inessential embellishments, shadings, or inflections of diatonic notes.
[edit] Notation
The chromatic scale may be notated in a variety of ways.
Ascending and descending:[1]
 
 
The chromatic scale has no set spelling agreed upon by all. Its spelling is, however, often dependent upon major or minor key signatures and whether the scale is ascending or descending. The images above, therefore, are only examples of chromatic scale notations. As an abstract theoretical entity (that is, outside a particular musical context), the chromatic scale is usually notated such that no scale degree is used more than twice in succession (for instance G flat - G natural - G sharp).
[edit] Non-Western cultures
- The ancient Chinese chromatic scale is called Shi Er Lü. However, "it should not be imagined that this gamut ever functioned as a scale, and it is erroneous to refer to the 'Chinese chromatic scale', as some Western writers have done. The series of twelve notes known as the twelve lü were simply a series of fundamental notes from which scales could be constructed."[2]
- The Indian solfège, i.e. sargam, makes up the twelve notes of the chromatic scale with respective sharps and flats.
[edit] Total chromatic
The total chromatic (or aggregate[3]) is the set of all twelve pitch classes. An array is a succession of aggregates.[3] See also: Tone row.
[edit] See also
[edit] Sources
- ^ a b Benward & Saker (2003). Music: In Theory and Practice, Vol. I, p.47. Seventh Edition. ISBN 978-0-07-294262-0.
- ^ Needham, Joseph (1962/2004). Science and Civilization in China, Vol. IV: Physics and Physical Technology, p.170-171. ISBN 978-0-521-05802-5.
- ^ a b Whittall, Arnold. 2008. The Cambridge Introduction to Serialism, p.271. New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-68200-8 (pbk).
[edit] External links
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Notes of the chromatic scale
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 Beginner Guitar Lesson: Chromatic Scale View tabs for this lesson @ www.freeguitarvideos.com Chromatic Scale is a free beginner guitar lesson by Peter Vogl. A chromatic scale contains all of the notes in an octave. Peter will teach you how to play the scale and also offer some reminds on proper playing position Practicing this scale will help your left hand work on stretching to play frets that are spread far apart. This exercise will also help your right hand picking technique. |  Chromatic Scale Piano Lessons: A lesson in how to play a chromatic scale. |  Chromatic Scale exercise dougfcknsteele.com This is the chromatic scale, the excercise of the day. Do this for a good 10-20 minutes a day as a warm up.. |  Guitar Lesson - Chromatic Scale Bill demonstrates the chromatic scale in this beginner guitar lesson. |  Chromatic Guitar Scale - Guitar Lesson Get instant access to FREE guitar lessons at GuitarLessons.com . Learn how to play the chromatic scale on the guitar in this lesson! The chromatic guitar scale may not be the most musical scale, but is beneficial! . Resources www.guitarlessons.com |  Play Piano - Improvising Using the Chromatic Scale Here's How to Add Maturity to Your Piano Playing Style! |  Chromatic Scale Dr. Leonard Garrison, flute professor at the University of Idaho, performs and discusses the three-octave C chromatic scale. This is required audition material for the 2009 MENC All-Northwest Band and Orchestra. For more information on the audition, please visit www.wmea.org A Big Thanks to Dr. Loraine Enloe for helping to create this video! |  How to Play the Chromatic Scale on Guitar (Lesson 10 of 19) SALE TODAY: Learn Piano on iOS bit.ly Lesson 10: How to Play the Chromatic Scale on Guitar --------------------------------------------------------------------- Don't let the lesson title scare you, this is a great way to learn exactly where notes are on the guitar neck. Thomas will show you this scale exercise that will increase your dexterity, speed, flexibility, and knowledge of the guitar neck. Check it out! How to Play the Chromatic Scale on Guitar --------------------------------------------------------------------- To play this scale, it's important to learn how your fingers are numbered. Think of these finger numbers as fret numbers also. In other words, each of your 4 fingers fall naturally into place on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th frets. (See below) Using these numbers, the chromatic scale goes as follows ("0" means the open string is played): 6th string: 0 1 2 3 4 5th string: 0 1 2 3 4 4th string: 0 1 2 3 4 3rd string: 0 1 2 3 2nd string: 0 1 2 3 4 1st string: 0 1 2 3 4 Read more by visiting our page at: www.mahalo.com |  How to Play the Chromatic Scale on Guitar (Practice Video) SALE TODAY: Learn Piano on iOS bit.ly Practice: The Chromatic Scale --------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas will show you the best way to practice playing the chromatic scale. Use this practice video to master playing this scale correctly. You'll fingers will thank you for it! How to Practice --------------------------------------------------------------------- These are the three best steps to take when you practice with your guitar at home: Step 1: Watch this video all the way through once without playing your guitar. Pay special attention to the way Thomas' left hand moves across the neck. Memorize what this scale looks like and which fingers play which frets. Step 2: Now watch the video a second time and play each exercise with Thomas. If you need to go slower that is fine, but remember, the goal is to play these exercises up to speed with Thomas. Step 3: Now, practice without the video. Play each of these exercises on your own, and be sure to incorporate them into your daily practice routine. Read more by visiting our page at: www.mahalo.com |  The Pure Chromatic Scale www.RiffNinja.com The pure chromatic scale includes all twelve notes that are available - that's why they call this the one true scale. Every other scale is just a subset of the chromatic scale. Because you're using all the notes, it isn't really even in a particular key. |
 Nonesuch Records |
Nonesuch Records
Tue, 15 May 2012 07:59:26 -0700
In Ligeti's version, you must hold down a block of notes, but then you must play a chromatic scale across them: a scale full of holes, of silent, frustrated notes. By requiring you to play notes that won't actually sound, Ligeti directs you toward the ...
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Spartanburg Herald Journal
Wed, 02 May 2012 07:30:30 -0700
Each student had to play scales, chromatic scale, and a solo. They were also required to sightread two selections and know the definition of musical terms. They were also graded on their tone quality. Students who scored in the top percentage on their ...
|  Science Fiction |
Science Fiction
Fri, 11 May 2012 15:09:09 -0700
“The chromatic scale consists of 12 tones, arranged in time and sequence. These 12 simple tones create an infinite variety of music.” A woman stands in a corner near a window playing a violin. “Harmony and dissonance, tension and resolution, ...
|  Boulder Weekly |
Boulder Weekly
Thu, 17 May 2012 11:15:56 -0700
“I always like to tell people that the very last couple of bars is a descending chromatic scale that is a pictorial image of the coffin being lowered into the ground. And after it gets to the bottom, there's two pizzicato strokes, 'poom,' and then the ...
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Lake County News Sun
Thu, 17 May 2012 13:17:54 -0700
Musicians should prepare 2 major, 1 minor, a chromatic scale and be prepared to sightread. To schedule an audition e-mail Sandy Grivett at sgrivett@aol.com. Performance: Mystery Dinner “Death of a Blackheart” will be performed May 19 at 6 pm at ...
|  Village Voice (blog) |
Village Voice (blog)
Mon, 23 Apr 2012 05:43:11 -0700
Performed by the 13-piece Ensemble Signal, an avant-garde chamber group led by the venerable conductor Brad Lubman, Filidei's brass-heavy composition is built on a descending chromatic scale, a sort of post-apocalyptic update of Ottorino Respighi's ...
|  European Hospital |
European Hospital
Thu, 03 May 2012 01:58:58 -0700
All of which helps to reproduce the exact chromatic scale of the human body's colours. There's also shadows reduction in the surgical field and total illumination of the surface and at depth and, due to obstacle finding sensors, the Brightness Adaptor ...
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Play in equal temperament (help·info) or 
