Which scale has the interval pattern WWHWWWH?

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

Answer: (A)

That interval sequence tells you how the notes of a scale are spaced in order. Whole steps, then another whole step, then a half step, then two more whole steps, finishing with a final half step to reach the octave. If you start on C, you get C to D (whole), D to E (whole), E to F (half), F to G (whole), G to A (whole), A to B (whole), and B to C (half). This exact spacing is what defines the major scale, so the pattern WWHWWWH corresponds to the major scale. The other scales use different spacings: the minor scale has a distinct sequence, the chromatic scale is all half steps, and the pentatonic scale uses five notes with a different set of gaps.