The scale pattern you provided follows the whole (W) and half (H) step sequence:
W-H-W-W-H-W-W
This pattern corresponds to the natural minor scale. To understand why the natural minor scale fits this pattern, we can analyze its structure:
- The natural minor scale is based on the following formula of whole and half steps:
- From the tonic (first degree) to the second degree is a whole step (W).
- From the second degree to the third degree is a half step (H).
- From the third degree to the fourth degree is a whole step (W).
- From the fourth degree to the fifth degree is a whole step (W).
- From the fifth degree to the sixth degree is a half step (H).
- From the sixth degree to the seventh degree is a whole step (W).
- Finally, from the seventh degree back to the tonic is a whole step (W).
To give this context, let’s compare it to the other scales mentioned:
-
Major Scale: The major scale has a different pattern of whole and half steps, which is:
- W-W-H-W-W-W-H This does not match the W-H-W-W-H-W-W pattern.
-
Harmonic Minor Scale: The harmonic minor scale has a pattern of:
- W-H-W-W-H-W+H (which can also be seen as W-H-W-W-H-W-7th) This features a raised seventh degree, which alters the step pattern.
-
Melodic Minor Scale: The melodic minor scale has two forms (ascending and descending):
- Ascending: W-H-W-W-W-W-H
- Descending: W-W-H-W-W-H-W Again, this pattern does not match.
Since the pattern you provided matches perfectly with the natural minor scale's intervals, we can conclude that the natural minor scale is indeed the correct answer.