Chromatic Circle (12 Notes)
Musical Patterns
Click a pattern below to see which notes are selected from the 12-note chromatic circle.
💡 How It Works
The Chromatic Circle shows all 12 musical notes arranged in a circle, with C at the top (12 o'clock position). This represents every possible note in Western music.
Musical Patterns are created by selecting specific notes from these 12. The pattern of intervals (Whole steps = W, Half steps = H) determines what we hear:
• Major Scale (7 notes): W-W-H-W-W-W-H pattern creates the familiar "Do-Re-Mi" sound
• Pentatonic (5 notes): Removes the 4th and 7th notes, used in rock, blues, and folk
• Major Triad (3 notes): The 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes create a basic chord
• Chromatic (12 notes): All notes together, no pattern
Same circle, different selections = different musical feelings!