Which statement about the minor scale's half-step locations is accurate?

Which statement about the minor scale's half-step locations is accurate?

• A. Between ^1 and ^2, ^3 and ^4, and ^6 and ^7
• B. Between ^2 and ^3, ^5 and ^6, and ^7 and ^8
• C. Between ^2 and ^3, ^5 and ^6, and ^7 and ^8 (with ^7 to ^8 not in natural minor)
• D. Between ^4 and ^5, ^6 and ^7, and ^7 and ^8

Answer: (C)

In a minor scale, where half steps occur depends on which form you’re using. The natural minor pattern is Whole–Half–Whole–Whole–Half–Whole–Whole, so the half steps are between the second and third degrees and between the fifth and sixth degrees. If you raise the seventh degree to create the harmonic minor, you also get a half step between the seventh and eighth degrees. So the accurate statement is that half steps occur between 2–3, 5–6, and 7–8, with 7–8 not being a half step in natural minor. This captures both the natural and the harmonic minor adjustments.

In a minor scale, where half steps occur depends on which form you’re using. The natural minor pattern is Whole–Half–Whole–Whole–Half–Whole–Whole, so the half steps are between the second and third degrees and between the fifth and sixth degrees. If you raise the seventh degree to create the harmonic minor, you also get a half step between the seventh and eighth degrees. So the accurate statement is that half steps occur between 2–3, 5–6, and 7–8, with 7–8 not being a half step in natural minor. This captures both the natural and the harmonic minor adjustments.