The E♭ chromatic scale runs E♭, E, F, F♯, G, A♭, A, B♭, B, C, C♯, D. Box 1 keeps the root on string 3, fret 3 and string 1, fret 6.
The E♭ chromatic scale runs E♭, E, F, F♯, G, A♭, A, B♭, B, C, C♯, D. Box 1 keeps the root on string 3, fret 3 and string 1, fret 6.
Build it by adding every half step to E♭ major. The result is twelve consecutive semitones with no whole steps. The eight-note E♭ bebop dominant demonstrates a selective use of chromatic passing tones.
Use it over E♭ major or E♭ minor chords for chromatic passing tones. It fits jazz, classical, and avant-garde ukulele pieces. The scale provides a smooth connector in any E♭-centred progression.
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root on string 3, fret 3 and string 1, fret 6, covering frets 0–3 for accessible chromatic runs.
E♭ 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 3.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | G, A♭, A, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | C, C♯, D, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | E, F, F♯, G |
| 1 (A) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | A, B♭, B, C |
E♭ chromatic in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 16 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the C string at fret 3 up to E♭ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the C string at fret 3 and the A string at fret 6.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 4, 5, 6 | B♭, B, C, C♯ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 4, 5, 6 | E♭, E, F, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 3, 4, 5, 6 | G, A♭, A, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 5, 6 | C, C♯, D, E♭ |
E♭ chromatic in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 16 notes across 4 strings, from F on the C string at fret 5 up to F on the A string at fret 8. The root falls on the G string at fret 8 and the A string at fret 6.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 6, 7, 8 | C, C♯, D, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 6, 7, 8 | F, F♯, G, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 5, 6, 7, 8 | A, B♭, B, C |
| 1 (A) | 5, 6, 7, 8 | D, E♭, E, F |
E♭ chromatic in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 16 notes across 4 strings, from G on the C string at fret 7 up to G on the A string at fret 10. The root falls on the G string at fret 8.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7, 8, 9, 10 | D, E♭, E, F |
| 3 (C) | 7, 8, 9, 10 | G, A♭, A, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 7, 8, 9, 10 | B, C, C♯, D |
| 1 (A) | 7, 8, 9, 10 | E, F, F♯, G |
E♭ 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 E string at fret 11.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 10, 11, 12 | E, F, F♯, G |
| 3 (C) | 9, 10, 11, 12 | A, B♭, B, C |
| 2 (E) | 9, 10, 11, 12 | C♯, D, E♭, E |
| 1 (A) | 9, 10, 11, 12 | F♯, G, A♭, A |
E♭ 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 E string at fret 11.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
| 3 (C) | 11, 12 | B, C |
| 2 (E) | 11, 12 | E♭, E |
| 1 (A) | 11, 12 | A♭, A |
Every chord here uses only notes from the scale. Tap one to open it.
The notes are E♭, E, F, F♯, G, A♭, A, B♭, B, C, C♯, D. Every adjacent pair is a half step apart. The scale contains all twelve pitch classes. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Because it includes every note, any chord can fit. It is most often used over E♭ major or E♭ minor. Chromatic passing tones connect chord tones smoothly.
Start with Box 1 and play one fret per note. Use a metronome at 88 bpm and increase speed gradually. Focus on even timing and clean fretting.