Music is made up of notes that form melodies, harmonies, and rhythms. The notes used in Western music are named A, B, C, D, E, F and G. These notes are called naturals and make up the major scale. However, there are also notes that fall between the naturals, called accidentals. The most common accidentals are sharps and flats. When accidentals are used alongside the natural notes, they are collectively referred to as chromatic notes.
The Chromatic Scale
The chromatic scale includes all twelve notes within an octave, including the natural notes, sharps and flats. The chromatic scale consists of:
| C | C#/Db | D | D#/Eb | E | F | F#/Gb | G | G#/Ab | A | A#/Bb | B |
As you can see, the chromatic scale includes the regular major scale notes C, D, E, F, G, A, B, plus the sharpened notes C#, D#, F#, G#, A# and the flattened notes Db, Eb, Gb, Ab, Bb. The sharps and flats are considered chromatic notes because they fall in between the natural notes.
Purpose of Chromatic Notes
Chromatic notes serve several important purposes in music:
- They allow for smooth modulation between different keys. By using chromatic transitions, composers can change keys seamlessly.
- They add color and interest outside of the main key center. Chromatic notes introduce tension and drama.
- They enable chord extensions beyond basic triads. Chromatic notes are needed to build 7th, 9th and 13th chords.
- They provide flexibility for melodic lines. Melodies often use chromatic passing tones between scale degrees.
- They allow for secondary dominant chords which temporarily tonicize other keys.
Without chromatic notes, music would have to stay strictly within one key and would lose much of its expressive potential. The introduction of sharps, flats and other accidentals unlocks immense musical resources for composers and performers.
Difference Between Diatonic and Chromatic
The contrast between diatonic and chromatic is important in music theory. Diatonic refers to the natural notes that belong in a given key or scale. For example, in the key of C major, the diatonic notes are C, D, E, F, G, A and B. These form the C major scale.
Chromatic refers to notes that fall outside or between the diatonic notes. In the key of C, any note that is not natural – C, D, E, F, G, A or B – is considered chromatic. This includes sharps/flats like C#, D#, F#, G#, A#.
Music that uses only diatonic notes is called diatonic music. Music that incorporates chromatic notes as well is called chromatic music. Most Western classical and popular music is chromatic – meaning it uses both diatonic and chromatic notes as needed.
Types of Chromatic Notes
There are a few main types of chromatic notes that appear frequently in music:
- Accidentals – Notes foreign to the key signature, marked with sharps, flats, double sharps or double flats. An accidental applies only to the measure it appears.
- Passing tones – Chromatic notes that connect two diatonic notes by stepwise motion. For example, in C major, B-Bb-A would use Bb as a chromatic passing tone.
- Neighbor tones – Chromatic notes that embellish a diatonic note by stepwise motion and return to the original note. For example, E-F-E in C major.
- Secondary dominants – Chords from outside the key used to tonicize other chords. For example, in C major, the A7 chord contains a chromatic G# which temporarily tonicizes D minor.
There are also larger scale chromatic techniques like chromatic mediants (chords with roots a third apart, e.g. C major to E major) and chromatic modulations to distant keys.
Chromatic Harmony
Chromatic notes are essential for building more complex, colorful chords beyond basic triads. Here are some examples of chromatic harmony:
- Seventh chords – Dominant 7th chords contain a chromatic 4th scale degree interval, e.g. G7 (G B D F) in C major contains the chromatic F.
- Extended chords – Ninth, eleventh and thirteenth chords use chromatic extensions like the 9th, #11th, 13th scale degrees.
- Altered chords – Chords with chromatically altered intervals like C7b9b13 (C E G Bb Db Ab).
- Modulation – Changing key centers often requires chromatic links between keys. Pivots chords share notes between both keys.
Jazz harmony makes extensive use of chromatic harmony, such as the II-V-I progression. Chromatic chords create colorful extensions while maintaining smooth voice leading between chords.
Chromatic Melodies
In tonal melodies, chromatic notes add interest and direction between the diatonic scale degrees. Some examples include:
- Passing tones – connect two diatonic notes by step, e.g. C-B-Bb-A in C major.
- Neighbor tones – embellish a note then return, e.g. C-B-C in C major.
- Appoggiaturas – accented chromatic tones resolving to a chord tone, e.g. C-D#-E over a C major chord.
- Chromatic runs – fast passages with a mix of diatonic and chromatic notes, e.g. a scale run with chromatic passing tones.
By making occasional use of chromatic notes, melodies gain direction and interest. Too much chromaticism however can lose sense of tonality and key center.
Chromatic Music Examples
Here are some famous examples of music that makes great use of chromaticism:
- J.S. Bach – His chorale harmonizations and fugues use chromatic harmony and melody in Baroque counterpoint.
- Wagner – Opera pieces like “Tristan und Isolde” employ extensive chromaticism, especially in harmonic modulations.
- Bebop jazz – Improvisations by Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie use rapid chromatic motives.
- Film scores – Suspenseful movie soundtracks often utilize unresolved chromatic chords and melodies.
- Metal/rock – Genres like progressive metal use complex chromatic chord progressions and riffs.
In the hands of great composers and improvisors, chromatic notes breathe life into music and unlock greater emotional depth.
Conclusion
Chromatic notes are those that fall outside the main key signature, including sharps, flats and other accidentals. Though not part of the diatonic scale, chromatic notes serve important musical purposes. They enable modulation, add color, build complex chords and enrich melodies. Chromaticism opens up immense musical possibilities, allowing composers to move beyond the confines of diatonic scales. Great composers throughout history, from Bach to bebop, have made masterful use of chromatics to create music of depth and expressivity.
