Chromatic chord

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A chromatic chord is any musical chord that includes at least one note not belonging in the diatonic scale associated with the prevailing key. In other words, at least one note of the chord is chromatically altered. Any chord that is not chromatic is a diatonic chord.

For example, in the key of C major, the following chords (all diatonic) are naturally built on each degree of the scale:

However, a number of other chords may also be built on the degrees of the scale, and some of these are chromatic.

Examples:

♭II in first inversion is called the Neapolitan sixth chord. For example in C Major: F-A♭-D♭. The Neapolitan Sixth chord resolves to the V.

IV# diminished chord is the Sharpened subdominant with diminished seventh chord. For example: F#-A-C-E♭. The #IV diminished chord resolves to the I.

bVI: The Augmented sixth chords resolve to the V.

See also