How many tones are on an octave scale on the piano?

Answer 1

That depends on whether it's a conventional scale or a different type of scale like a pentatonic scale [which ironically has 3 tones]. Most scales, from Do to Do, have five tones. For those who don't learn notes as do, re and mi, I mean from C to C etc.

Oh, and also, I'm not sure why you specified the piano, as scales are just notes, therefore playable on any instrument in the same way. Though admittedly, it's easier to work out if you know the layout of a keyboard.

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I assume you are asking about a major or minor scale, but there are different types, and how many tones also depends on if you count the high note above with the same letter as the lowest note.

In a traditional MAJOR SCALE (a.k.a. Ionian), there are seven different letter names (and usually an eighth note is added with the same letter name, an octave higher than the first). If you start on C, the major scale is C, D, E, F, G, A, B (and C for the eighth note). You can start on any note, but you will get different letters).

A pentatonic scale has FIVE tones (if you start on C, then the notes are C, D, E, G, A.... and again C which would make 6 tones if you count the high note). There are many other scales, but this should answer your question.

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If we speak about TONES (not notes), there are 12 semitones, that is 6 tones between for example C and C of a higher octave in a standard major scale.

Answer 2

A whole tone scale in made of only M2 intervals so there would be 6 tones. For example:

C

D

E

F#

G#

A#

or

C#

D#

E#

G

A

B

If you learn those two scales then you will know all the whole scales because all other whole tone scales have the same notes (at least enharmonically).

Answer 3

Twelve, the notes are:

C

D flat

D

E flat

E

F

G flat

G

A flat

A

B flat

B

C

N.B - for the black notes, I'm only using their flat names just to show you that there are 12 tones within an octave.