The A chromatic scale runs A, A♯, B, B♯, C♯, D, D♯, E, E♯, F♯, F♯♯, G♯. Box 1 keeps the root on string 4, fret 2 for a compact four-fret stretch.
The A chromatic scale runs A, A♯, B, B♯, C♯, D, D♯, E, E♯, F♯, F♯♯, G♯. Box 1 keeps the root on string 4, fret 2 for a compact four-fret stretch.
Build it by adding every half step between the notes of A major. The result is twelve tones, each a semitone apart, with no gaps. Compare the eight-note A bebop dominant to hear how chromatic passing tones fill the same fretboard area.
Use it over A major or A minor vamps when you want passing tones between chord tones. It fits jazz, metal, and experimental ukulele lines. The chromatic run works as a connector in any key where A is the tonic or a strong chord tone.
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root under your first finger on string 4, fret 2 and covers frets 0–3 for smooth chromatic runs.
A chromatic in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 16 notes across 4 strings, from B♯ on the C string at fret 0 up to B♯ on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the G string at fret 2 and the A string at fret 0.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | F♯♯, G♯, A, A♯ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | B♯, C♯, D, D♯ |
| 2 (E) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | E, E♯, F♯, F♯♯ |
| 1 (A) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | A, A♯, B, B♯ |
A chromatic in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 16 notes across 4 strings, from D on the C string at fret 2 up to D on the A string at fret 5. The root falls on the G string at fret 2 and the E string at fret 5.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | A, A♯, B, B♯ |
| 3 (C) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | D, D♯, E, E♯ |
| 2 (E) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | F♯, F♯♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (A) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | B, B♯, C♯, D |
A chromatic in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 16 notes across 4 strings, from E on the C string at fret 4 up to E on the A string at fret 7. The root falls on the E string at fret 5.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4, 5, 6, 7 | B, B♯, C♯, D |
| 3 (C) | 4, 5, 6, 7 | E, E♯, F♯, F♯♯ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 5, 6, 7 | G♯, A, A♯, B |
| 1 (A) | 4, 5, 6, 7 | C♯, D, D♯, E |
A chromatic in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 16 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the C string at fret 6 up to F♯ on the A string at fret 9. The root falls on the C string at fret 9.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 7, 8, 9 | C♯, D, D♯, E |
| 3 (C) | 6, 7, 8, 9 | F♯, F♯♯, G♯, A |
| 2 (E) | 6, 7, 8, 9 | A♯, B, B♯, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 7, 8, 9 | D♯, E, E♯, F♯ |
A chromatic in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 16 notes across 4 strings, from A on the C string at fret 9 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the C string at fret 9 and the A string at fret 12.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 10, 11, 12 | E, E♯, F♯, F♯♯ |
| 3 (C) | 9, 10, 11, 12 | A, A♯, B, B♯ |
| 2 (E) | 9, 10, 11, 12 | C♯, D, D♯, E |
| 1 (A) | 9, 10, 11, 12 | F♯, F♯♯, G♯, A |
A chromatic in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 12, 8 notes across 4 strings, from B on the C string at fret 11 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 12.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, F♯♯ |
| 3 (C) | 11, 12 | B, B♯ |
| 2 (E) | 11, 12 | D♯, E |
| 1 (A) | 11, 12 | G♯, A |
Every chord here uses only notes from the scale. Tap one to open it.
The notes are A, A♯, B, B♯, C♯, D, D♯, E, E♯, F♯, F♯♯, G♯. Every adjacent pair is a half step apart. The scale contains all twelve pitch classes.
Because it includes every note, any chord can fit. It is most often used over A major or A minor. Chromatic passing tones connect chord tones smoothly.
Start with Box 1 and play one fret per note. Use a metronome at 60 bpm and increase speed gradually. Focus on even timing and clean fretting.