A chromatic scale includes every note within an octave.

A chromatic scale contains 12 equal divisions of the octave — every key on the piano.

For example, a chromatic scale starting on C includes all notes from C up to the next C.

What You Need to Know

• A chromatic scale includes all 12 notes
• It moves in half steps only
• It can start on any note
• You will often be asked to play a chromatic scale over one or two octaves

What It Looks Like

C chromatic scale, one octave:

Ascending (using sharps):

C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B C

Descending (using flats):

C B Bb A Ab G Gb F E Eb D Db C

How to Practice and Memorize

Before practicing on your instrument, it can help to look at a piano keyboard.

Seeing the chromatic scale on a keyboard makes the pattern clear—it is simply every key, moving step by step with no gaps. The keys on the keyboard are the same in both directions – up or down; only the names change depending on direction (different names for the same notes are called enharmonic tones).

The chromatic scale can feel overwhelming at first—but once you break it into smaller pieces, it becomes much easier. Instead of trying to learn the entire scale at once:

• Practice small groups of notes (for example: C to F)
• Repeat them several times
• Then connect the sections together

This is much more effective than repeating the full scale over and over.

A Few Helpful Notes

• A chromatic scale does not have to start on C
• You can start on any note (G, Bb, F#, etc.)
• Always follow the required range (one octave, two octaves, etc.)

Related

• Printable keyboard diagram
• Major Scales
• Want to learn more? Scales – Theory & Science