Which scale consists of only whole steps, containing six notes per octave?

• A. Chromatic Scale
• B. Diatonic Scale
• C. Pentatonic Scale
• D. Whole Tone Scale

Answer: (D)

A scale built entirely of whole steps has exactly six notes in each octave. That uninterrupted sequence of whole steps is the defining feature of the Whole Tone Scale. Since each step is two semitones, six steps move you exactly through an octave, which gives that equal, floating sound with no half-step intervals. The other scales differ in their interval patterns: the chromatic scale includes every semitone (not restricted to whole steps); diatonic scales mix whole and half steps and typically have seven notes per octave; the pentatonic scale has five notes per octave and does not rely on a uniform whole-step pattern. So the scale described is the Whole Tone Scale.