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Explore scales · Ukulele

C chromatic scale on ukulele

The C chromatic scale runs C, C♯, D, D♯, E, F, F♯, G, G♯, A, A♯, B. Box 1 keeps the root on string 4, fret 5 and string 1, fret 3.

GG♯AA♯CC♯DD♯EFF♯GAA♯BCGCEA123
Positions on the neck1 of 6
Practice C chromatic scale

How it is built

C1C♯♯1D2D♯♯2E3F4F♯♯4G5G♯♯5A6A♯♯6B7

Formula 1, ♯1, 2, ♯2, 3, 4, ♯4, 5, ♯5, 6, ♯6, 7

Chords these notes build

How do you play the C chromatic scale on ukulele?

C chromatic in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 16 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the C string at fret 0 and the A string at fret 3.

Every note in this box, string by string
StringFretsNotes
4 (G)0, 1, 2, 3G, G♯, A, A♯
3 (C)0, 1, 2, 3C, C♯, D, D♯
2 (E)0, 1, 2, 3E, F, F♯, G
1 (A)0, 1, 2, 3A, A♯, B, C

Box 2 · frets 2–5

C 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 5 and the A string at fret 3.

Every note in this box, string by string
StringFretsNotes
4 (G)2, 3, 4, 5A, A♯, B, C
3 (C)2, 3, 4, 5D, D♯, E, F
2 (E)2, 3, 4, 5F♯, G, G♯, A
1 (A)2, 3, 4, 5B, C, C♯, D

Box 3 · frets 4–7

C 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 G string at fret 5.

Every note in this box, string by string
StringFretsNotes
4 (G)4, 5, 6, 7B, C, C♯, D
3 (C)4, 5, 6, 7E, F, F♯, G
2 (E)4, 5, 6, 7G♯, A, A♯, B
1 (A)4, 5, 6, 7C♯, D, D♯, E

Box 4 · frets 6–9

C 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 E string at fret 8.

Every note in this box, string by string
StringFretsNotes
4 (G)6, 7, 8, 9C♯, D, D♯, E
3 (C)6, 7, 8, 9F♯, G, G♯, A
2 (E)6, 7, 8, 9A♯, B, C, C♯
1 (A)6, 7, 8, 9D♯, E, F, F♯

Box 5 · frets 8–11

C chromatic in box 5 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 16 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the C string at fret 8 up to G♯ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the E string at fret 8.

Every note in this box, string by string
StringFretsNotes
4 (G)8, 9, 10, 11D♯, E, F, F♯
3 (C)8, 9, 10, 11G♯, A, A♯, B
2 (E)8, 9, 10, 11C, C♯, D, D♯
1 (A)8, 9, 10, 11F, F♯, G, G♯

Box 6 · frets 10–12

C chromatic in box 6 runs from fret 10 to fret 12, 12 notes across 4 strings, from A♯ on the C string at fret 10 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the C string at fret 12.

Every note in this box, string by string
StringFretsNotes
4 (G)10, 11, 12F, F♯, G
3 (C)10, 11, 12A♯, B, C
2 (E)10, 11, 12D, D♯, E
1 (A)10, 11, 12G, G♯, A

Why it sounds like that

Build it by adding every half step to C major. The result is twelve consecutive semitones with no whole steps. The eight-note C bebop dominant demonstrates a selective use of chromatic passing tones.

When to use it

Play it over C major or C minor progressions to add chromatic passing tones. It suits jazz, blues, and contemporary ukulele styles. The scale connects chord tones smoothly in any C-centred tune.

Which position to practise

Learn Box 1 first. It places the root on string 4, fret 5 and string 1, fret 3, covering frets 0–3 for easy chromatic movement.

Common questions

Which notes are in the C chromatic scale?

The notes are C, C♯, D, D♯, E, F, F♯, G, G♯, A, A♯, B. Each note is one semitone higher than the previous. The scale contains all twelve pitch classes.

Which chords fit the C chromatic scale?

Any chord can fit because the scale includes every note. It is commonly used over C major or C minor. Chromatic passing tones connect chord tones smoothly.

How do I practise the C chromatic scale on ukulele?

Start with Box 1 and play one fret per note. Use a metronome at 90 bpm and increase speed gradually. Focus on even timing and clean fretting.