True or false: The chromatic scale in Western tuning consists solely of half-step intervals.

True or false: The chromatic scale in Western tuning consists solely of half-step intervals.

• A. False
• B. It depends on the key
• C. Only in atonal tuning uses it
• D. True

Answer: (D)

In Western tuning, the octave is divided into 12 equal steps called semitones or half steps. A chromatic scale simply moves through every one of those semitones in order, so each successive pitch is a half step higher than the previous one. For example, starting on C, the sequence goes C, C sharp, D, D sharp, E, F, F sharp, G, G sharp, A, A sharp, B, and back to C. Each adjacent pair is a half-step apart, which is exactly why the chromatic scale is described as consisting solely of half-step intervals. This is different from diatonic scales (like major or minor), which mix whole steps and half steps. Enharmonic spellings (such as C sharp and D flat) represent the same pitch in this tuning, so the half-step pattern remains intact. Therefore, the statement is true.

In Western tuning, the octave is divided into 12 equal steps called semitones or half steps. A chromatic scale simply moves through every one of those semitones in order, so each successive pitch is a half step higher than the previous one. For example, starting on C, the sequence goes C, C sharp, D, D sharp, E, F, F sharp, G, G sharp, A, A sharp, B, and back to C. Each adjacent pair is a half-step apart, which is exactly why the chromatic scale is described as consisting solely of half-step intervals. This is different from diatonic scales (like major or minor), which mix whole steps and half steps. Enharmonic spellings (such as C sharp and D flat) represent the same pitch in this tuning, so the half-step pattern remains intact. Therefore, the statement is true.