What is the pattern of whole and half steps in a natural minor scale?

The natural minor scale has a specific pattern of intervals that consists of whole steps and half steps. This pattern is essential for understanding how to construct a natural minor scale and distinguishing it from other types of scales.

In a natural minor scale, the sequence begins with a whole step, followed by a half step, then two whole steps, and concludes with a half step and a whole step. Thus, the correct pattern for a natural minor scale is represented as: whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole.

This corresponds directly to the sequence of whole (W) and half (H) steps as: WHWWHWW. The natural minor scale starts on the root note and follows this exact pattern to achieve its distinctive sound that is often characterized by a more somber or melancholic tone compared to its major counterpart.

Understanding this pattern is crucial for musicians and educators alike, as it helps in the composition, performance, and analysis of music based on minor keys. The representation of the natural minor scale helps you to build the correct scale on any root note and recognize its structure in various musical contexts.