Understanding Chromatic Notes in Music

In the context of music, "chromatic" refers to notes that are not part of a key's diatonic scale. In other words, chromatic notes are notes that do not fit within the traditional major or minor scale.

For example, in the key of C major, the diatonic scale consists of the following notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, B. However, if you include the notes outside of this scale, such as Cb (B flat), C#, D# (E flat), F#, Gb (F flat), and Ab, these are considered chromatic notes.

Chromatic notes can add tension and interest to music, and they can also be used to create dissonances and resolutions. Chromaticism is a common feature of many styles of music, including jazz, classical, and rock.

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