How many notes are in an octave chromatic scale?

Answer 1

In the simplest terms, every chromatic scale contains every note.

The chromatic scale is actually not a tonal scale, so you wouldn't really refer to it as the 'c' chromatic scale as you would a major, minor, or modal scale. The chromatic scale is made up of half-steps in succession either ascending or descending order. If you were to start the chromatic scale on 'c' then the notes would be: c-c#-d-d#-e-f-f#-g-g#-a-a#-b at which point the scale would just repeat itself in the next octave.

The easiest way to understand it is to sit at a piano, find 'c' (or any other note) and play every note (black and white) until you get to the next 'c' (or the note that you started with). There's your chromatic scale!

Some theorists will argue that the chromatic scale is a tonal scale. Their arguments can be justified very easily. However, if you are just beginning to experiment with the chromatic scale, I recommend thinking of it in the way described above for the time being. Once you have a better understanding of the fundamentals, read more about it!

Hope that helps! It's a great scale to use in all sorts of music.

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Answer 2

This depends on what tuning system you are using. By and large, the most popular tuning system is 'Equal Temperament.' This is a Dodecophonic, or 12 tone system. In fact most tuning systems use 12 tones-In Western cultures anyways. Javanese Gamelans use a Pentatonic or 5 tone system. Some other Eastern cultures have divided the scale into more than 12 pitches. There was a 20th Century Composer named Harry Partch who advocated tuning systems with 18 or even 37 steps per octave.

So to answer your question:

12 if you are talking about a traditional Western scale. 5 or 18 or 37 or more if you are talking non-Western or Avant-Garde.

Answer 3

There are 12 different notes in a chromatic scale.

Answer 4

there's 11

A,A#,B,C,C#,D,D#,E,F,F#,G,G#

Answer 5

In Western music, there are 12 tones in one octave of your chromatic scale, Do Di Re Ri Mi Fa Fi Sol Si La Li Ti, ascending, and Ti Te La Le Sol Se Fa Mi Me Re Ra Do, for descending.