Which scale starts on the tonic and uses seven distinct pitches with a pattern of whole steps and half steps?

• A. Minor Scale
• B. Chromatic Scale
• C. Major Scale
• D. Pentatonic Scale

Answer: (C)

The major scale is defined by starting on the tonic and using seven distinct pitches arranged in a specific sequence of whole steps and half steps. The interval pattern is whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half. This pattern yields eight notes total if you include the octave, but just seven unique pitches within the octave. For example, C major goes C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C, following the W-W-H-W-W-W-H pattern. The other options don’t fit because a minor scale uses a different interval sequence, the chromatic scale includes all twelve semitones, and the pentatonic scale has only five pitches.