E chromatic runs E, E♯, F♯, F♯♯, G♯, A, A♯, B, B♯, C♯, C♯♯, D♯. Box 1 starts on the second string at the second fret.
E chromatic runs E, E♯, F♯, F♯♯, G♯, A, A♯, B, B♯, C♯, C♯♯, D♯. Box 1 starts on the second string at the second fret.
The E chromatic scale contains all twelve pitches, each a half step apart. It extends the E bebop dominant scale, which omits E♯, F♯♯, A♯, B♯, and C♯♯. With every note available, the scale has no tonal center. See E bebop dominant for the parent scale.
E chromatic is common in rock and metal for fast fills in E major or E minor. It connects chord tones in walking bass over E major or E minor progressions. Use it in funk for chromatic approaches to the root.
Learn Box 1 first: the root is on string 2, fret 2, and the shape spans frets 0–3. It keeps the hand low and prepares the shift to Box 2.
E chromatic in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 16 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to A♯ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the E string at fret 0 and the D string at fret 2.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | E, E♯, F♯, F♯♯ |
| 3 (A) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | A, A♯, B, B♯ |
| 2 (D) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | C♯♯, D♯, E, E♯ |
| 1 (G) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | F♯♯, G♯, A, A♯ |
E chromatic in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 16 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the E string at fret 2 up to B♯ on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the D string at fret 2.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | F♯, F♯♯, G♯, A |
| 3 (A) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | B, B♯, C♯, C♯♯ |
| 2 (D) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | E, E♯, F♯, F♯♯ |
| 1 (G) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | A, A♯, B, B♯ |
E chromatic in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 16 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the E string at fret 4 up to C♯♯ on the G string at fret 7. The root falls on the A string at fret 7.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 5, 6, 7 | G♯, A, A♯, B |
| 3 (A) | 4, 5, 6, 7 | C♯, C♯♯, D♯, E |
| 2 (D) | 4, 5, 6, 7 | F♯, F♯♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (G) | 4, 5, 6, 7 | B, B♯, C♯, C♯♯ |
E chromatic in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 16 notes across 4 strings, from A♯ on the E string at fret 6 up to E on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the A string at fret 7 and the G string at fret 9.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 7, 8, 9 | A♯, B, B♯, C♯ |
| 3 (A) | 6, 7, 8, 9 | D♯, E, E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (D) | 6, 7, 8, 9 | G♯, A, A♯, B |
| 1 (G) | 6, 7, 8, 9 | C♯, C♯♯, D♯, E |
E chromatic in box 5 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 16 notes across 4 strings, from B♯ on the E string at fret 8 up to F♯ on the G string at fret 11. The root falls on the G string at fret 9.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 9, 10, 11 | B♯, C♯, C♯♯, D♯ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 9, 10, 11 | E♯, F♯, F♯♯, G♯ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 9, 10, 11 | A♯, B, B♯, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 8, 9, 10, 11 | D♯, E, E♯, F♯ |
E chromatic in box 6 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 16 notes across 4 strings, from C♯♯ on the E string at fret 10 up to G♯ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the E string at fret 12.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 11, 12, 13 | C♯♯, D♯, E, E♯ |
| 3 (A) | 10, 11, 12, 13 | F♯♯, G♯, A, A♯ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 11, 12, 13 | B♯, C♯, C♯♯, D♯ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 11, 12, 13 | E♯, F♯, F♯♯, G♯ |
Every chord here uses only notes from the scale. Tap one to open it.
The E chromatic scale includes E, E♯, F♯, F♯♯, G♯, A, A♯, B, B♯, C♯, C♯♯, and D♯. That is all twelve pitches. Each note is a half step from the next.
Yes, but use it as passing motion. The chord tones E, G♯, and B anchor the sound. Chromatic notes between them create tension that resolves quickly.
E bebop dominant has eight notes and a clear dominant function. E chromatic has all twelve notes and no key center. The bebop scale is a subset of the chromatic scale.