- Definition
A chromatic scale is a musical scale that includes all twelve notes within an octave, played one after the other.
Playing every key on a piano from C to the next C, including all the black keys, is playing a C chromatic scale.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: The chromatic scale is like playing every single key on a piano in order — both the white and black ones — without skipping any.
Ask your child: What does it sound like when you play every single note in a row?
Common mix-up: Kids might think a scale is just the seven 'do-re-mi' notes. The chromatic scale is unique because it includes all twelve notes, filling in every single gap.
Examples
- On a guitar, playing the note at every single fret up one string in order creates a chromatic scale.
- The famous piece 'Flight of the Bumblebee' uses fast chromatic scales to create a buzzing, frantic sound.
chromatic scale is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
