STRINGSCALES

A chromatic Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F, F#, G, G#, A, Bb, B, C, C#, D, Eb, E at frets 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

A string: A, Bb, B, C, C#, D, Eb, E, F, F#, G, G#, A at frets 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

D string: D, Eb, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, Bb, B, C, C#, D at frets 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

G string: G, G#, A, Bb, B, C, C#, D, Eb, E, F, F#, G at frets 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

B string: B, C, C#, D, Eb, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, Bb, B at frets 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

High E string: E, F, F#, G, G#, A, Bb, B, C, C#, D, Eb, E at frets 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Pick a root note

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A chromatic

The chromatic scale contains all twelve semitones, so strictly speaking it is the entire tuning system rather than a key. Its value on the fretboard is mechanical and connective: one-finger-per-fret technique practice, and the source of the passing tones every other scale borrows for smooth voice leading. Every scale on this site is some selection from these twelve notes.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

A

I

B♭

bII

B

II

C

bIII

C♯

III

D

IV

E♭

bV

E

V

F

bVI

F♯

VI

G

bVII

G♯

VII

chromatic in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Use the chromatic scale as technique fuel: one finger per fret across all six strings, strict alternate picking, metronome climbing slowly.
  • Musically, chromatic notes work as passing tones in A: connect two scale tones a whole step apart through the note between them.
  • Approach any chord tone from a half step below or above; that single trick turns plain arpeggios into jazz lines.
  • Practice chromatic runs that START and END on notes of the key you are in (A as the anchor); direction plus destination keeps chromaticism musical.

How to play A chromatic on guitar

Open A is the tonic and both E strings give the fifth, so a drone is available across the whole neck without fretting. Fret 5 on the low E sounds the same pitch as that open A, matched note for note rather than an octave apart. Fret 12 doubles that open root an octave up. Fret 7 on the D and fret 2 on the G pair up higher, which lets you keep a root under the first finger in most positions.

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