STRINGSCALES

D chromatic Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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

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

G string: G, Ab, 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, Ab, 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, Ab, 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

Pick a scale

D 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:

D

I

E♭

bII

E

II

F

bIII

F♯

III

G

IV

A♭

bV

A

V

B♭

bVI

B

VI

C

bVII

C♯

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

How to play D chromatic on guitar

Open D is the tonic itself, and the open A below it is the fifth, so a two-string drone is there before you fret anything. Roots on the low E at fret 10, the A string at fret 5 and that open D string are all one pitch. Fret 7 on the G doubles the B-string root. Shape and spacing repeat every fret, meaning the same box moved up 2 becomes E chromatic.

homeall scalesaboutfaqpricingmicrotonalterms & conditionsprivacy policycookie policy© 2026 StringScales. All rights reserved.