In music theory, how is a whole tone scale constructed?

Prepare for the SQA National 5 Music Concepts Exam with our specialized quiz. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions, each paired with hints and detailed explanations. Excel in your music exam!

A whole tone scale is constructed using only whole steps between each note. This means that each note in the scale is a whole tone (or whole step) away from the next one, creating a distinctive and uniform sound.

For example, if you start on the note C, the whole tone scale would progress as follows: C, D, E, F#, G#, A# and back to C. Each step is a full tone, resulting in a scale that features six different pitches before returning to the starting note.

Understanding how a whole tone scale differs from other scales is crucial. Unlike scales that may involve half steps or a mix of intervals (which would relate to other choices), the whole tone scale's exclusive use of whole steps produces its unique sound and texture, a quality that sets it apart in music compositions.

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