The first scale we will introduce is the Chromatic Scale. The chromatic scale consists of 12 notes. Each note in the chromatic scale is a half step higher than the previous note.
The chromatic scale covers all 12 pitches on the piano, thus there is really only one chromatic scale. For this reason, we are taking the time to explain it to you but in everyday musical use. Just take it as pure information of the construction of a chromatic scale.
Before we get too far in let's review sharps and flats.
A SHARP (♯) by definition raises a note a half step.
A FLAT (♭) by definition lowers a note a half step.
All Black keys have 2 names.
The black key between C and D has 2 names remember, C♯ and D♭. Let's explore more.
Let’s learn the C Chromatic Scale.
The C Chromatic scale starts on the root note "C".
It is common practice to use sharps (♯) when writing an ascending chromatic scale and to use flats (♭) when writing a descending chromatic scale. Follow along with me below.
Because each note in this scale is a half step we can say:
The 12 notes in the C chromatic (ascending) scale are:
C, C♯, D, D♯, E, F, F♯, G, G♯, A, A♯, B, C:
The notes in the C chromatic scale above.
Here is the tricky part.
The C chromatic scale descending is notated differently.
The 12 notes in the C chromatic (descending) scale are:
C, B, B♭, A, A♭, G, G♭, F, E, E♭, D, D♭, C
The actual notes are the same, the pitches are the same, but they are notated differently.
Listen to the C Chromatic scale in ascending then descending order.
Let's try another chromatic scale.
E♭ Chromatic Scale
The 12 notes in the E♭ chromatic scale could be notated as:
E♭, E, F, G♭, G, A♭, A, B♭, C, D♭, D, E♭
The notes in the Eb chromatic scale above.
You got it, let's move forward.