What describes the chromatic scale?

What describes the chromatic scale?

• A. The seven white-key notes forming a scale
• B. The twelve pitches arranged in ascending order
• C. The major scale pattern
• D. The diatonic scale notes

Answer: (B)

The chromatic scale consists of all the semitone steps within an octave, so it includes every pitch, white or black key. When you lay them out from one starting pitch up to the same pitch an octave higher, you get twelve pitches arranged in ascending order. That’s the defining feature: all twelve distinct semitones in sequence. The other descriptions point to different ideas. Seven white-key notes forming a scale refers to a diatonic scale that uses only the white keys (like C major). The major scale pattern is a specific sequence of whole and half steps that defines a major scale, not every semitone. The diatonic scale notes are the seven pitches of a scale within an octave, excluding the chromatic notes.

The chromatic scale consists of all the semitone steps within an octave, so it includes every pitch, white or black key. When you lay them out from one starting pitch up to the same pitch an octave higher, you get twelve pitches arranged in ascending order. That’s the defining feature: all twelve distinct semitones in sequence.

The other descriptions point to different ideas. Seven white-key notes forming a scale refers to a diatonic scale that uses only the white keys (like C major). The major scale pattern is a specific sequence of whole and half steps that defines a major scale, not every semitone. The diatonic scale notes are the seven pitches of a scale within an octave, excluding the chromatic notes.