Chromatic scales in different keys

[rtheunissen]

Dear all,

Is there a specific way to write chromatic scales? For example, how do you write an E chromatic scale? Or an E-flat chromatic scale? Since some notes are already either sharp or flat. I've heard that you must use as few accidentals as possible, but is there a specific way to do so, or not?

Thanks in advance.

Kind Regards.

[lelle]

I feel like I have a good intuition around this, but it's difficult to explain properly. It would be easier to demonstrate if I was given a couple of specific scenarios.

Generally, if you currently are in a key with many sharps, you would typically not use flats when spelling the scale. And vice versa.

Whether you use sharp, flats, naturals or double sharps/flats, depends to some degree on the harmonic context, whether certain notes in the scale can be seen as leading tones to a following chord tone etc, at least in typical classical/romantic music. In other words, using accidentals the way they are typically used in that key. For example, it would look wrong to me to use a lot of flats in a chromatic scale when you are playing around in a minor. Using as few accidentals as possible is a decent rule of thumb.

[timothy42b]

How many chromatic scales are there?  I was thinking just two (like whole tone scales). 

[brogers70]

How many chromatic scales are there?  I was thinking just two (like whole tone scales).

I'd say either one or twelve, depending on how you count.

[ranjit]

I'd say either one or twelve, depending on how you count.

You forget Cb and E#, that makes 14

[timothy42b]

If you're counting scale number by interval, I guess there's only one, unlike a whole tone scale where there are two.

But if you're counting by fingering changes, then it does make a difference where you start.