adjective
chromatic
Using semitones or notes outside a diatonic scale.
The pianist plays a chromatic scale, moving upward by one semitone at a time.
Etymology
The Greek root names color and was already used for a musical genus. Modern music retains the color metaphor for notes that add semitones beyond a diatonic scale.
More examples
- The melody contains several chromatic notes outside the key.
- A chromatic passage adds tension before the final chord.
- She practices chromatic runs on the flute.
Forms
chromatic
Similar words
- diatonic
- Diatonic uses notes of a particular seven-note scale; chromatic introduces semitones beyond that set.