Play The Chromatic Scale on the Guitar

Major and minor Scales are derived from the notes used in melodies. Every melody and scale derived from that melody has a fundamental note called the Root Note or Tonic Note. The chromatic scale is not derived from a melody. The Chromatic Scale divides an octave into twelve equally spaced notes called Minor Seconds or half steps. Melodies and major and minor scales are subsets of the chromatic scale and any note can be used as the root note, the chromatic scale allows for transposition or changing of the root note, of any melody or scale to any other note of the chromatic scale. Eight letters are used with four notes added in between some of the letters called chromatic notes.

The Chromatic Scale Starting on A

Some of the notes are called Chromatic notes and are represented by a Sharp " " which adds 1 fret to the original note, or a Flat " " which subtracts 1 fret from a note. A Natural Sign " " cancels a sharp or flat. Notes that have the same sound but a different name (F#, 2nd finger, 2nd fret = Gb, 2nd finger, 2nd fret) are called Enharmonic notes.

The Chromatic Scale On The First String

The following exercise is excellent for developing speed. Click the treble clef to play the exercise ten times. Start with alternating down-up picking. In all exercises start with the slowest tempo and increase the speed on each repetition.

Reading Notes On The First String

Reading With Sharps

Reading With Flats

Remember, the goal is memorization. Not only will your fingers memorize the positions of the chromatic scale, your ears will also memorize the sounds on the guitar called Ear Training, so make sure your guitar is in tune. You can tune your guitar by ear to the midi player by clicking the tune logo or tune by eye using an electronic guitar tuner. It is recommended that you learn both methods.