The term “chromatic” is an adjective that refers to color or colors. In music theory, the word “chromatic” describes notes, scales, chords, keys, and progressions that move by semitones or use all the notes in an octave. So in simple terms, “chromatic” in music means using all the notes available, rather than just the white notes on a piano keyboard. Understanding what chromatic means helps explain concepts like chromatic scales, chromatic chords, and chromaticism in music. Let’s break down the meaning in a simple way.
Definition of Chromatic
The dictionary definition of chromatic is:
- Relating to color or colors.
- Relating to chromaticism in music: using notes not belonging to the diatonic scale of the key.
So in general, chromatic relates to color. But in music, it means notes that are not in the main key signature.
On a piano, the white keys are the natural diatonic notes that belong to a key. The black keys are chromatic notes that add color and interest outside the key.
Chromatic Notes
The chromatic scale includes all twelve notes within an octave. These include:
| C | C#/Db | D | D#/Eb | E | F | F#/Gb | G | G#/Ab | A | A#/Bb | B |
In the key of C major, the white key notes on a piano are:
| C | D | E | F | G | A | B |
These form the C major scale. The black key notes are chromatic notes that add color outside the key signature of C major.
For example, in the key of C major, F# is a chromatic note. F# is not in the C major scale which consists of only white keys on the piano.
So chromatic notes add spice outside the prevailing key by raising or lowering pitches by a semitone.
Chromatic Scale
The chromatic scale includes all twelve pitch classes within an octave. It uses only semitone steps between each note.
For example, a C chromatic scale consists of:
C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab, A, A#/Bb, B
This scale uses all the available pitches, rather than just the pitches in a particular key.
A chromatic scale basically climbs by each half step through an octave. This provides composers with the maximum palette of notes to color their music.
Chromatic Chords
Chords that include notes from outside the prevailing key are called chromatic chords.
For example, in C major, a chord containing an F# note would be considered chromatic because F# is not part of the C major scale.
Some examples of chromatic chords:
- C Major: F#dim, A#m, D#°7
- G Major: Ebmaj7, F#7, Abm
Composers use chromatic chords to make colorful tonal shifts, create tension, modulate to different keys, and surprise the listener.
Chromaticism in Music
Chromaticism refers to the use of notes outside the prevailing key in a composition. Composers employ notes from the chromatic scale to:
- Add color and interest
- Create dissonance and tension
- Obscure the tonal center
- Modulate to different keys
- Build tension and drama
Chromatic notes are liberally sprinkled through music of the Romantic and later eras. Composers exploited chromaticism to explore new tonal areas and create rich harmonies.
Uses of Chromatic Notes
There are many uses of chromatic notes in music:
- Passing Tones: Chromatic notes that briefly connect two diatonic notes by step.
- Neighbor Tones: Chromatic notes that embellish a diatonic note by step above or below.
- Color Tones: Adds color by substituting a diatonic note with a non-chord chromatic note.
- Applied Chords: Borrowed chords from the parallel minor key.
- Modulation: Use of chromatic chords to transition into a new key.
Understanding these various uses of chromatic notes provides greater insight into compositional techniques for coloring music.
Conclusion
In summary, the term “chromatic” refers to musical notes, scales, chords, progressions, and composition techniques that use all twelve notes of the chromatic scale within an octave. Chromaticism exploits notes outside the prevailing key signature to add color, variety, texture and unpredictability. Composers have extensively used chromaticism to create rich harmonic landscapes and dramatic tonal shifts, especially in Romantic era and later music. So in simple terms, “chromatic” means utilizing all the musical colors available rather than just the white key notes in a single key. Understanding the chromatic concept brings deeper appreciation of compositional techniques in all styles of music.