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Glite Dictionary
🎨 Study of colors 🎵 Use of semitones
chromatics

chromatics

8.9
The use of notes outside the usual scale, moving by half steps
  • noun
  • /krəˈmætɪks/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cromática
  • Modern composers often experiment with chromatics to create unique musical effects.

Examples

  • The pianist's skillful use of chromatics added depth and complexity to the piece.

  • Students learned about chromatics as part of their advanced music theory class.

  • The chromatics were stunning!

  • I love chromatics!

  • The pianist's skillful use of chromatics added depth and complexity to the piece.

  • Modern composers often experiment with chromatics to create unique musical effects.

  • Students learned about chromatics as part of their advanced music theory class.

Synonyms

chromaticism
vschromatics
  • Specialized
8.7

To play notes not in the main key to add tension or feeling

focuses on stepwise semitone movement and technical use rather than color

How Chromatic

chromatics
  • Specialized
8.9
diatonic scale
  • Specialized
1 6.0

Surface Forms

chromatics singular
chromatics plural

Morphology

chromatics = chromatic (semi-transparent) = chrom + atics

The musical context of 'chromatics' is not directly derived from 'chromatic', which generally refers to color.

Etymology

Chromatics comes from the Greek root chroma meaning 'color', and in music it names the use of notes outside the usual scale to add 'color' or a special feeling to the sound. So when a musician uses chromatics, they add extra notes that change the tone and mood, like adding color to a painting.