![chromatic notes chromatic notes](https://ultimatemusictheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/melodic-chromatic-scale-2.jpg)
The two primary ones are as "decoration" or "embellishment" and as "functional" harmonic elements.įor example for the latter one, in the key of C Major, you can introduce a D7 chord to act as the V7/ of the V chord (so you get D7 - G, which looks like V7 - I in the key of G, but it's actually all still in the key of C).įor that, you'd have to make F into F# which could be in the melody, the harmony, or possibly both.įor the former one, you can just "fill in" the gap between two notes a step apart with a chromatic "filler" note, or you can approach a note from above or below. That’s why it makes the most amount of sense to use form #2 while ascending, and form #3 when descending.There are a couple of different types of uses of Chromatic notes. When playing chromatically it’s always easier to play a note that’s out of position and move into position than it is to start in position and move out of position. Notes that fall one fret higher than the position are played with your fourth finger. Notes that are one fret lower than the position are played with your first finger. You are starting out of position, and moving back into position.Ī position is a 4 fret area where a finger is assigned to each fret. But it’s easier to have your first finger start on a lower fret and move up than it is to do the opposite. You certainly could play form #3 when ascending, and form #2 descending. The red line is drawn between the notes that are the same. Here is a graphic that shows how the notes in form #2 and form #3 compare to each other. Guitar Chromatic Scale #3 – In Position Descending Guitar Chromatic Scale #2 – In Position Ascending Use form #2 when ascending, and form #3 when descending. If you want to stay in one position when playing a chromatic scale you will use the following forms.
CHROMATIC NOTES HOW TO
This video guitar lesson will show you how to play these chromatic scales for guitar without shifting position like you did for the first form. The next 2 guitar chromatic scale forms stay in one position on the neck. This is because of the way the guitar is tuned.įor more on reading guitar scale charts, be sure and check out my video guitar lesson “ Intro to Scales on the Guitar” As you move to the next higher string you will shift back one fret, except between the 3rd and 2nd strings which you will stay on the same fret. The first guitar chromatic scale form contains 4 notes on every string. Guitar Chromatic Scale #1 – 4 Notes Per String Like I mentioned they are also excellent guitar technique builders. Understanding where the next note higher or lower is, even when switching strings. Playing chromatic scales is really just an exercise in understanding how the notes are arranged on the neck of the guitar. Any note could be considered the root, and you are not really going to hear all of the notes in relationship to any one note. In fact, you should not really think in terms of there being a root for chromatic scales. When it comes to playing chromatic scales on the guitar, you are not necessarily starting and stopping on the “root” of the scale.
![chromatic notes chromatic notes](http://jamieholroydguitar.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Chromatic-Aprroach-Notes.png)
Often sharps are used when ascending in the chromatic scale, and flats are used when descending. What you will call that pitch really depends on the situation. That is because C# and Db are just different ways to spell the same pitch.
![chromatic notes chromatic notes](https://2ppbhz1c87pm2ec98a3avkad-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/CGC-210-G-Maj_0002.png)
There are 12 different pitches, but you also see the 2nd note in the scale is a C# or a Db. You will see that there are only 12 different pitches before arriving back at C. Here are the notes in a C chromatic scale. A guitar chromatic scale contains all 12 possible pitches before arriving back at the starting note name an octave higher. The word chromatic in music means 2 or more consecutive notes that are a half step (1 fret) apart from one another.