A# Chromatic Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Baritone (B Standard) tuning — fretboard diagram
A# Chromatic in Baritone (B Standard) — Notes and Intervals
The A# Chromatic scale is the collection of all twelve notes available in Western music. On Guitar, the notes are A#, B, C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A. It offers the maximum possible density and is used for total melodic flexibility, fluid shifting between keys, and adding intense color to simpler melodies. Commonly used in Classical, Jazz, Metal, Experimental. Notable players include Franz Liszt, Charlie Parker, Yngwie Malmsteen. Context-dependent — works as a passing device over any harmony. Not a 'soloing' scale but a coloring tool. Great for chromatic approach notes.
Notes: A#, B, C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 2M, 3m, 3M, 4P, 5d, 5P, 6m, 6M, 7m, 7M
Degrees: 1 b2 3 b4 5 6 7 8 b9 10 b11 12
Formula: H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H
Number of notes: 12
Tuning: Baritone (B Standard) (B-E-A-D-F#-B)
About Baritone (B Standard) Tuning
The baritone guitar is tuned a perfect fourth lower than standard guitar (B-E-A-D-F#-B), producing a distinctly beefy tone with serious low-end depth that sits perfectly between guitar and bass. Its rich, dark voice has made it a secret weapon in film scoring, ambient music, and moody songwriting where you need that unmistakable low-end warmth without losing clarity.
Unlike simply tuning a standard guitar down (which causes floppy strings and muddy tone), the baritone guitar uses a longer scale length (typically 27"-30") designed specifically for lower tunings. This gives each note clarity and definition even in the lowest register. Session musicians, film composers, and bedroom producers alike reach for the baritone when they need dark, atmospheric textures, doom-laden riffs, or simply a different sonic palette that standard guitar can't deliver.
Notable artists: Pat Metheny, Nels Cline, Brian Setzer, Baritone session players in Nashville
Best for: Moody songwriting, film scoring, ambient textures, doom metal, and any production that needs low-end depth with clarity
Musical Character
Contains all 12 notes — maximum melodic density. Used for passing tones, chromatic runs, and fluid key-shifting. The universal connector between any two scales.