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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.

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.

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.

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 C♯7, C♯7♯5, C♯9, C♯maj7: the chords on the tonic made of the notes of the scale.