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C chromatic scale

The C chromatic scale is made of the notes C, D♭, D, E♭, E, F, F♯, G, A♭, A, B♭, B. It has 12 notes; compared with the major scale its formula is 1 ♭2 2 ♭3 3 4 ♯4 5 ♭6 6 ♭7 7.

Symmetric · 12 notes

Note names
  1. 1C
  2. ♭2D♭
  3. 2D
  4. ♭3E♭
  5. 3E
  6. 4F
  7. ♯4F♯
  8. 5G
  9. ♭6A♭
  10. 6A
  11. ♭7B♭
  12. 7B

PatternH – H – H – H – H – H – H – H – H – H – H – H(W = whole step, H = half step)

Built by repeating the same pattern of intervals over and over. Degrees are shown relative to the major scale: ♭3 is the third lowered by a half step, ♯4 the fourth raised.

Open in the scale finder

Mode and chords

All twelve notes, each a half step from the next. It has no tonal centre: it is practised for agility and intonation, and its fragments are used to connect chord tones.

Used overC7C7♯5C9Cmaj7

Put it into practice

The scale played in thirds over one octave: one of the exercises MEG generates from this scale.

This scale is not part of the demo: in the MEG app you will find it in every key, with 24 patterns.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the notes of the C chromatic scale?
The notes are C, D♭, D, E♭, E, F, F♯, G, A♭, A, B♭, B.
What is the pattern of the C chromatic scale?
The sequence of steps is H – H – H – H – H – H – H – H – H – H – H – H (W = whole step, H = half step); compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 ♭2 2 ♭3 3 4 ♯4 5 ♭6 6 ♭7 7.
Which chords is the C chromatic scale used over?
It is used over C7, C7♯5, C9, Cmaj7: the chords on the tonic made of the notes of the scale.

Texts and tools by , professional musician and developer. Last updated: October 9, 2026.