fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON GUITAR

C Chromatic

All 12 semitones, in order. Used for chromatic passing tones and modern jazz / classical lines.

MEIMIDIHumdrum
Choose a root
Tempo120 bpm

Playback sounds an octave below the written notation — the instrument's concert (sounding) pitch.

Audio source: tonejs-instruments by Nick Brosowsky (MIT)

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 5 9 title C Chromatic Verovio
Tuning
FretboardTuning: Eb-Ab-Db-Gb-Bb-Eb
35791215D♯G♯C♯F♯A♯D♯D♯EFF♯GG♯AA♯BCC♯DD♯EFF♯G♯AA♯BCC♯DD♯EFF♯GG♯AA♯BC♯DD♯EFF♯GG♯AA♯BCC♯DD♯EF♯GG♯AA♯BCC♯DD♯EFF♯GG♯AA♯BCC♯DD♯EFF♯GG♯AA♯BCC♯D♯EFF♯GG♯AA♯BCC♯DD♯EFF♯
Related scales
Same scale, other instruments
Same scale, other tonics
Modes built on this tonic
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Theory reference
Questions
What notes are in the C Chromatic scale?

The C Chromatic scale uses the notes C, C♯, D, D♯, E, F, F♯, G, G♯, A, A♯, B (one octave; the pattern repeats at higher registers).

What's the Chromatic scale formula?

The Chromatic scale follows the interval pattern H H H H H H H H H H H H, where W = whole step (2 semitones) and H = half step (1 semitone). Apply that pattern starting on C to get the C Chromatic scale.

What chords work over C Chromatic?

Try chord pairings derived from the scale's third, fifth, and seventh degrees as roots — they share the most diatonic notes.

How do I finger C Chromatic on Guitar?

On guitar, scales are typically learned as position patterns — three- or four-notes-per-string shapes that move up the neck. The CAGED system positions each scale in five interconnected patterns; the three-notes-per-string approach simplifies modal scales.

When would I use the Chromatic scale?

All 12 semitones, in order. Used for chromatic passing tones and modern jazz / classical lines.