STRINGSCALES

A♭ chromatic Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: Fb, F, Gb, G, Ab, Bbb, Bb, Cb, C, Db, Ebb, Eb, Fb at frets 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

A string: Bbb, Bb, Cb, C, Db, Ebb, Eb, Fb, F, Gb, G, Ab, Bbb at frets 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

D string: Ebb, Eb, Fb, F, Gb, G, Ab, Bbb, Bb, Cb, C, Db, Ebb at frets 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

G string: G, Ab, Bbb, Bb, Cb, C, Db, Ebb, Eb, Fb, F, Gb, G at frets 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

B string: Cb, C, Db, Ebb, Eb, Fb, F, Gb, G, Ab, Bbb, Bb, Cb at frets 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

High E string: Fb, F, Gb, G, Ab, Bbb, Bb, Cb, C, Db, Ebb, Eb, Fb at frets 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

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Ab 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 Ab: 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 (Ab as the anchor); direction plus destination keeps chromaticism musical.

How to play A♭ chromatic on guitar

Fret 1 on the G string sits closer to the nut than any other root, and it shares a pitch with fret 11 on the A and fret 6 on the D. Nine flats in the signature pull the spelling onto Bbb, Ebb, Cb and Fb, which means the names drift from what the shapes look like. Capo one fret and G chromatic shapes fit. Open strings all belong here but none is the tonic or fifth, so lean on fretted roots at fret 4 for anchoring.

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