STRINGSCALES

C chromatic Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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

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

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

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

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

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

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C 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:

C

I

D♭

bII

D

II

E♭

bIII

E

III

F

IV

G♭

bV

G

V

A♭

bVI

A

VI

B♭

bVII

B

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

How to play C chromatic on guitar

Fret 1 on the B string is the lowest-numbered root here, with the D string at fret 10 and the G string at fret 5 sounding that same pitch. Open G supplies the fifth, so you can pedal it under fretted lines anywhere on the neck. Fret 8 carries roots on both E strings. Every fingering here transposes: the same shape moved up 1 fret becomes Db chromatic, up 2 becomes D, which means one box serves all twelve tonics.

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