New Orleans Chromatics

Now, you probably won’t be using the whole scale at any given point in the music, but once you get the feel for chromatic movement of notes, you can use it to spice up a melody. From simple grace notes that give the illusion of bending a tone to stylish flourishes that add just the right flavor, the chromatic scale can be a delicious addition to your musical vocabulary.

The Grace Note Bend. One of the simplest and but most effective use of chromatics is the grace note, a short note rapidly played just before another note you wish to embellish. Grace notes can add complexity and character to a melody, and Allen Toussaint uses them with a masterful touch. Sometimes, grace notes can give the illusion of bending a note, like a guitar or horn would. Check out Example 2 for tips on how to incorporate grace notes into your own playing.

Connecting Melodies. The chromatic scale can also be used to connect the notes of a melody, giving it a glissando effect. Say you have a melody made up of all chord tones (see Example 2b). Chord tones are very strong in a melody, and too much resolution can get boring. To add a little tension, try adding some chromatic passing tones in between each of the original melody notes (see Example 2c).

Good Taste. It’s easy to use the chromatic scale, and it’s therefore also easy to overuse it. Listen to great players like Allen Toussaint, and you’ll hear just the right touch of chromaticism.