Chromatic Scales: Music Theory

This video explains the meaning of the word 'Chromatic' as well as providing instructions on how a chromatic scale is formed.
The video is suitable for those students studying grade 4 of the ABRSM music theory exams or anyone wishing to expand their knowledge of music theory.
Please be aware that this video assumes previous knowledge of: key signatures and semitones (also known as half-steps)

[musictheoryguy]

Thanks for your feedback! Delighted to hear you've found our videos helpful. Please do keep watching and thanks for directing others our way. Best wishes.

[ChrisGilland]

as a piano player who is totally blind since birth, oh my goodness was this helpful! thank you profusely for verbally explaining every single thing you were doing as you were drawing these scales on what I assume to be a graph paper. or a musical staff. I'm not totally sure what you were using since I can't see it. definitely am subscribing to your channel! not many people verbally describe things to this great detail. this was fabulous! keep up the great work.

[rockyblaq]

This just helped me come up with new and darker melody THANK YOU!

[maykilJuicewa]

My understanding of chromatic scales has been oversimplified and so are chromatic notes. In scales, I simply used to think of a sequence of semitones. As a less obvious consequence, I have been confused about what and how to spell enharmonic notes correctly on the fundamental level. My thinking regarding correct spelling have been based on the key, scales, mode, intervals, chord construction, and ultimately in the context of functional harmony and tonal music. A less tonal music (but not atonal), which has a lot of chromatic notes and chords, does not make sense to me anymore because of my lack of understanding at its core.

This video helps a lot especially the rules and examples! Thanks a lot!

[s.chauhan]

you are amazing, now i can actually have a chance in my music theory test

[kikiiiiiiiiiiix]

Hi! I am a new subscriber! I thoroughly enjoyed this vid. It really helped me understand the chromatic scale! I have for sure shared this vid!

👇

[giemmia]

Thanks so much for putting the time and effort into making these Videos...i've just started studying songwriting and music theory and i'm finding this SO helpful..i'm passing your youtube channel onto my class who i know will also appreciate it!

thanks again! you're awesome!

have a brilliant day.

[musictheoryguy]

Assuming you're referring to my first example (C to C chromatic scale) the final C doesn't need a natural as it is not in the same space (or on the same line) as the C# that precedes it. An accidental (sharp, flat, natural) is only applicable to the same line or space. A key signature with, for example, C# affects every C regardless of the line or space in which the note sits. I hope I've helped but do let me know if you need further assistance. Best wishes.

[Gaval_Nova]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOUR VIDEOS, KIND SIR, PLEASE KEEP THEM

[Gabrielr]

I love how you are very objective at teaching music theory! Excellent job!

[musictheoryguy]

I see! Don't worry though - a natural symbol is not required on the C or the F as there is no sharp or flat before it to require the use of a natural symbol. Naturals are only used: if they are to 'cancel' a previous accidental (on the same space/line) in the same bar OR to cancel a sharp/flat from the key signature. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

[musictheoryguy]

I use a number of programs: Sibelius, Cubase, Illustrator, Windows Movie Maker - have a look at my website and choose 'About' for more information on the video making process. Best wishes.

[Tony-London_UK]

So am I right in thinking that the first note on a new line goes by the signature key, unless it is a C or an F (as both follow the natural notes B & E resp. therefore needing no signing as naturals)?
Is it also true that all other notes follow the rule that all accidentals stick to being either all # or all ♭signed for clarity and consistency?
I'm learning the Guitar and Notation together which is why I need to be so clear ...
If I get it up to this point I'm on track.

Much appreciated!

[jpsada]

why did you write the flat symbol of d♭in 5:19 when you mentioned not to, for the signature already describes the scale as a flat accidental?

[Texy]

It's often down to the context of how the note appears that determines how it is "spelt". One notable example is the Gb major scale; the fourth note of it should be named Cb and not B (you can't have Bb and then have B then Db; there MUST be a derivative of C). Similarly the seventh note of the F# major scale is E# and not F.

[thehaye]

on c double sharp example you could have put e sharp instead of f natural

[ChrisGilland]

correction to my last comment. in that comment, it says definitely unsubscribing. that would have been Google voice dictation being stupid! what I was trying to say was, definitely am subscribing to your channel. my profuse apology for the typo.

[Pramerios]

Didn't you say in an earlier video that when drawing a scale, you need to have a new note on each line or space?at 5:20 you have Bb and then B rather than Cb. Why?

[lenthokchom]

sir, thank you so much for sharing your music theories with us...do you have the lessons for tones and semitones???

[felipequintana]

Thank you so much I have a test tomorrow