What is the chromatic scale? Piano learners can find out below
Have you heard the term “chromatic scale” but are unsure what it means? In the following paragraph we will define the chromatic scale and give you tips on how to practice and play it! We will also give a few examples of songs and piano pieces that include it.
How many different notes are in the chromatic scale?
The chromatic scale is a musical scale built with all twelve musical pitches. Each pitch is separated by a half step, which is very different from major or minor scales, where pitches are separated by either half steps or whole steps. The term “chromatic” comes from the Greek word chromos, meaning color. So you can think of a chromatic scale as being more colorful–having more variety–than major or minor scales.
There are twelve different notes (or pitches) in the chromatic scale. The notes are C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab, A, A#/Bb, and B. Are you wondering why some of these notes have two different names? Pitches with two names are called enharmonics, meaning that the name of the note is determined by the key signature of the song and how the note is used.
How do you play the chromatic scale on piano?
The chromatic scale is one of the most fun scales to play on the piano. You only need three fingers on either hand to play it! Read on to learn how to play the chromatic scale with your right and left hands.
First, let’s play the chromatic scale with the right hand. We will start on middle C, play up an octave to treble C, and then play moving back down to middle C.
- First, place your right thumb on middle C. Your thumb is going to play most of the white keys.
- Your third finger will play C#. This finger will play all of the black keys.
- Following this pattern, your thumb will play D, your third finger will play D#, and your thumb plays E.
- Are you wondering what your second finger does? It will only play F after your thumb plays E, and then finish off with C after your thumb plays B at the top of the scale!
- Keep following this pattern all the way up to treble C.
- Reverse this pattern to play back down to middle C.
Playing it with the left hand is very similar. Let’s start on bass C, going up an octave to middle C, and back down to bass C.
- First, place your left thumb on bass C. Your thumb is going to play most of the white keys.
- Next, your third finger will play C#. This finger will play all of the black keys.
- Following this pattern, your thumb will play D and your third finger will play D#.
- Are you wondering what your 2nd finger does? It will play E and B at the top of the scale!
- Keep following this pattern all the way up to middle C.
- Reverse this pattern to play back down to bass C.
Is there solfege for the chromatic scale?
Yes, there is solfege for the chromatic scale. The solfege for ascending the chromatic scale is different from the solfege descending it.
On the way up the scale, the vowel “i” is assigned to the pitches of the black keys, which raises each preceding pitch by a half step. This solfege going up the scale looks like DO DI RE RI MI FA FI SO SI LA LI TI DO.
On the way down, the vowels “e” and “a” are assigned to the black key pitches, which lower the preceding pitch by a half step. This solfege going down the scale looks like DO TI TE LA LE SO SE FA MI ME RE RA DO.
Are there songs that use the chromatic scale?
Yes, there’s a lot of music that uses the chromatic scale! Here are a few examples:
One piece is “Für Elise” by Ludwig van Beethoven. This appears toward the end of the piece. Click here to listen to the chromatic scale in “Für Elise”!
The “James Bond Theme” by Monty Norman has a bass line that is constructed from the chromatic scale. Listen to this recording!
A very famous example that uses the chromatic scale throughout the piece is “Flight of the Bumblebee” by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.
“Bumble-Boogie” by Jack Fina is a jazzy example of music that uses the chromatic scale throughout. This piece is a more modern adaptation of Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Flight of the Bumblebee.”
Another famous use of the chromatic scale is “The Phantom of the Opera” from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical of the same name. Do you notice the chords at the very beginning of the song? These chords are moving up and down using a chromatic scale. This pattern is repeated throughout the song.
Now that you know all about the chromatic scale, have fun practicing it at home! Keep your eye out for this scale in pieces that you are playing. From all of us at Hoffman Academy, have fun and happy playing!