![]() ![]() However, some composers and musicians have created memorable music using the chromatic scale. Usually, composers or improvisers will use small segments of the chromatic scale to create tension in the form of dissonance that they resolve later on in the melodic line. Musicians rarely use the entire chromatic scale. The chromatic scale is used by musicians and composers to create a variety of musical effects, like heightened tension or a sense of sadness or melancholy. Because the chromatic scale contains all of the tones contained within an octave, it is always made up of the same 12 notes, just played in a different order. While the chromatic scale contains all twelve tones used in music, one cannot say, like you would with the Major scale, that it has a tonal center or tonic. In short, the chromatic scale is a powerful tool that you can use to improve your musicianship. One can also use the chromatic scale to explore arpeggios, scale sequences, and chords as well. The chromatic scale can be played ascending or descending using minor and major 2nds, minor and major thirds, perfect 4ths, augmented 4ths/diminished 5ths, perfect 5ths, augmented 5ths, minor and major 6ths, and minor and major 7ths. This is because the chromatic scale contains all other intervals, so exercises in which you ascend and descend using a particular interval are often based on the chromatic scale. Chromatic exercises are quite common on stringed instruments like the guitar and are also common on the piano. It is likely that many of the exercises you were given when you started playing your instrument were based on the chromatic scale. The chromatic scale can be played either ascending or descending, in just one octave, or through multiple octaves. To play the chromatic scale, you begin on a tone and move up or down in pitch in consecutive semitones or half-step intervals until you finish the octave. This makes the chromatic scale a great tool for jazz improvisation. However, the semitone intervals do allow you to create a powerful sense of tension that can be resolved in a variety of ways. When descending, it would read like this:Ĭ, B, Bb, A, Ab, G, Gb, F, E, Eb, D, Db, Cīecause it contains every note, you cannot really say that it has a tonal center the way a traditional Major or Minor scale does. Starting with C, the ascending chromatic scale is:Ĭ, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B, C The chromatic scale is the complete set of notes used in tonal music separated by consecutive semitone intervals. In this way, the chromatic scale can be said to contain the building blocks of all music.īut what is the chromatic scale and how do musicians use it? What is the Chromatic Scale? However, because it contains all other notes, it must contain all other scales and chords within itself. There are some who say that the chromatic scale is not really a scale at all. If you have ever heard Rimsky Korsakov’s famous piece “Flight of the Bumble Bee,” or if you listen to Jazz, especially Bebop music, you are familiar with the chromatic scale.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |