Chromatic
A chromatic scale, also known as a dodecatonic scale, is a musical scale which uses every note as it goes up or down i.e. it goes up and down in semitones (half tones). To play a chromatic scale on the piano every note is played: both white and black notes (e.g. C, C sharp, D, D sharp, E, F etc.). A chromatic scale can start on any note.
Meaning of the word “chromatic”
The word “chromatic” comes from the Greek word “chromos” meaning “color”. Organists in the 16th and 17th centuries such as Sweelinck liked to write “Chromatic Fantasias”. These were pieces based on tunes which were chromatic. In those days, because of the tuning systems used, not all the semitones were exactly the same size. Going up a chromatic scale would have been like walking up a staircase with steps which were slightly larger or smaller in depth. This made chromatic scales very interesting and “colourful” which is why they were called “chromatic”.
Chromatic harmony
Chromatic harmony means harmony (chords) that use notes which do not belong to the key the music is in (they are not in the key signature). Although Bach in the 18th century used chromatic harmony, it was 19th century composers who used it more and more. Wagner wrote music which was very chromatic: there were lots of sharps and flats and it kept modulating to different key areas. The chord at the beginning of his opera Tristan and Isolde is so famous that it is known as the Tristan chord. It is very chromatic. The music is full of tension because it leaves us wondering which key the music is in.
<score> \new PianoStaff {
\time 6/8
<<
\context Staff = "up" {
\clef treble
\set Staff.midiInstrument = #"acoustic grand"
#(set-accidental-style 'modern)
\partial 8
\relative c{
<< { s8
s2.
\override Slur #'attachment = #'(stem . stem)
gis4.~( gis4 a8 ais b4~ b8) }
\\
{ a,8(
f'4.~ f4 e8
dis2.)( d4.)~ d8 } >>
r8 r
}
}
\context Staff = "down" {
\clef bass
\set Staff.midiInstrument = #"acoustic grand"
\partial 8
\relative c{
r8
R2.
<f b>2.(
<e gis>4.)~ <e gis>8 r r
}
}
>>
}
</score>
Chromatic Media
Purcell diatonic chromaticism
The diatonic scale notes (above) and the non-scale chromatic notes (below)
- Just major third on C = E. * * Just: 5:4 = 386.31 cents. * Limit: 5-limit. * MIDI pitch bend: 79,59*A M3 with pitch bend on 79,59 for about 386.31 cents rather than 400.
- Just perfect fourth on C = F (Ben Johnston's notation). * * Just: 4:3 = 498.04 cents. * Limit: 3-limit. * MIDI pitch bend: 48,63
Bernhard Ziehn's 1907 list of, "diatonic triads", diatonic seventh-chords," and two examples of, "diatonic ninth-chords," the "large" and "small" ninth chords; all from the C major or the C harmonic minor scale
Farnaby - His Humour
Beethoven Piano Concerto 4 slow movement, bars 47–55
Wagner, Die Walküre, act 3, magic sleep music
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