Chromatic chord

Encyclopedia : C : CH : CHR : Chromatic chord

The term chromatic chords is used to broadly describe chords used to harmonise a piece of music that are not drawn from the true notes of the scale of the key of the piece but are based on chromatically altered notes of the scale.

For example, in the key of C, the following chords may be built on each degree of the scale:

I: C maj7
ii: D min7
iii: E min7
IV: F maj7
V: G7
vi: A min7
vii: B min7 b5

However, a number of other chords are also common in the harmonisations of melodies in the key of C. These are described as chromatic chords and common ones include:

The Neopolitan sixth chord.
The Augmented sixth chord.
The Sharpened subdominant with diminished seventh chord.

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