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C Chromatic Scale

Listen plays the scale. Play Along lights up each note in order so you can follow.

C – C♯ – D – D♯ – E – F – F♯ – G – G♯ – A – A♯ – B – C
Formula:H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H
Intervals:P1-m2-M2-m3-M3-P4-A4-P5-m6-M6-m7-M7

Introduction

The C Chromatic scale contains twelve notes: C, C♯, D, D♯, E, F, F♯, G, G♯, A, A♯, and B. It follows the whole-step / half-step pattern H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H.

C Chromatic Scale Notes

DegreeNameNoteInterval
1TonicCP1
2SupertonicC♯m2
3MediantDM2
4SubdominantD♯m3
5DominantEM3
6SubmediantFP4
7Leading ToneF♯A4
8OctaveGP5
9Degree 9G♯m6
10Degree 10AM6
11Degree 11A♯m7
12Degree 12BM7
13Degree 13C

Key Signature

The key of C Chromatic has no sharps or flats. Every note is natural, which makes it the easiest key signature to read on the staff.

Chords in the Key of C Chromatic Scale

These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the C Chromatic Scale:

C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
IC Major (major)
DegreeNumeralChordQuality
1IC MajorMajor
2iiD MinorMinor
3iiiE MinorMinor
4IVF MajorMajor
5VG MajorMajor
6viA MinorMinor
7vii°B DiminishedDiminished

C Chromatic Scale — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the C Chromatic Scale?
The C Chromatic Scale contains 12 notes: C – C# – D – D# – E – F – F# – G – G# – A – A# – B. The notes table above shows each note with its scale degree and interval from the root.
How many sharps or flats does C Chromatic have?
The key of C Chromatic has no sharps or flats. Every note is natural — this is the simplest key signature on the staff.
What does the C Chromatic Scale sound like?
The C Chromatic Scale has every note in the octave — used for tension, ornaments, and technical exercises. Listen to the audio playback above to hear the character on every note.

Related Tools

Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.