Which of the following correctly expresses the major scale?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The major (Ionian) scale is defined by the interval sequence of whole and half steps: W-W-S-W-W-W-S (where W = whole step = 2 semitones, S = semitone/half step = 1 semitone).

1) Relevant knowledge points and concepts
- A whole step equals two semitones; a semitone (half step) equals one semitone.
- A diatonic octave spans 12 semitones, so the sum of the seven step-intervals must equal 12.
- The major scale specifically follows the pattern 2-2-1-2-2-2-1 semitones (i.e., W-W-S-W-W-W-S).

2) Step-by-step reasoning
- Express the major pattern numerically: 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1 → sum = 2+2+1+2+2+2+1 = 12 semitones (octave).
- Check against a concrete example: C major: C → D is a whole (2); D → E whole (2); E → F semitone (1); F → G whole (2); G → A whole (2); A → B whole (2); B → C semitone (1). That matches W-W-S-W-W-W-S.

3) Calculations / intermediate steps for each option
- Option A: S-S-S-W-S-S-W = 1+1+1+2+1+1+2 = 9 semitones (does not span an octave; incorrect).
- Option B: S-S-W-S-S-S-W = 1+1+2+1+1+1+2 = 9 semitones (incorrect).
- Option C: W-W-S-W-W-W-S = 2+2+1+2+2+2+1 = 12 semitones (matches octave and the major pattern).
- Option D: W-W-W-S-W-W-S = 2+2+2+1+2+2+1 = 12 semitones (sums to octave but is the Lydian mode pattern, not the major scale).

4) Why the correct answer is correct
Option C explicitly matches the standard major (Ionian) interval sequence: two whole steps, a half step, then three whole steps, and a final half step. The C major example demonstrates the same sequence (E→F and B→C are the semitone steps), confirming the pattern.

5) Why the other options are incorrect
- A and B sum to only 9 semitones, so they cannot form a full octave and are therefore invalid as diatonic scale patterns.
- D does sum to 12 but its first three steps are whole steps (W-W-W...), which yields the Lydian mode (contains a raised 4th) rather than the major (Ionian) scale; therefore it is not the major scale pattern.

Conclusion: The correct major scale pattern is W-W-S-W-W-W-S, which matches the provided answer.

Which of the following correctly expresses the major scale? 单项选择题

类似问题

Which scale is shown below?

The scale of this piece is:

The scale used in this piece is:

The scale used for this clip is:

The following scale begins and ends on tonic. What accidentals would be required to turn it into a major scale?

Which of the following is the relative key of B major?

How many types of minor scales are there?

What is the scale-degree number for the leading tone?

更多留学生实用工具

智能学习助手

风格化写作助手

论文查重助手

文献引用助手

课堂转译助手

课堂笔记助手

Quiz搜索助手

学校历年真题

智能刷题助手

智能匹配练习

希望你的学习变得更简单