chromatic scale

noun

, Music.

1. a scale progressing entirely by semitones.

chromatic scale

noun

1. a twelve-note scale including all the semitones of the octave

Word History and Origins

Origin of chromatic scale¹

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

Young instrumentalists are encouraged to practice playing the chromatic scale in order to ensure that they know the fingerings for all the notes.

From Literature

With a soft approach, his opening, of upward chromatic scales passed around the orchestra, was a garden of strangely beautiful flowers in bloom.

From New York Times

A London journal in 1848 wrote: “Her technical skill alone is immense; in the completeness of her chromatic scale she is, probably, without a rival.”

From New York Times

“Her technical skill alone is immense; in the completeness of her chromatic scale she is, probably, without a rival,” said an article published in Fraser’s Magazine, a London journal, in 1848.

From New York Times

The two songs share similar chord progressions and a bass line that descends along a chromatic scale.

From New York Times