Whole Steps & half steps Theory ThingsWilliam Wieland
half step (½) — the smallest interval (pitch distance) on a piano, e.g. C to C sharp (adjacent keys)
Whole Step (W) — 2 half steps, e.g. C to D
Where are the half steps?
Major 5-finger Pattern:W W ½ W3-4
Major Scale:W W ½ W W W ½3-47-8           
 
Minor 5-finger Pattern:W ½ W W2-3
Natural Minor Scale:W ½ W W ½ W W2-3 5-6
Harmonic Minor Scale:W ½ W W ½ 1½ ½2-3 5-6 7-8
Melodic Minor Scale:
Ascending:W ½ W W W W ½2-37-8
Descending:See natural minor.
 
Whole Tone Scale:W W W ... (all whole steps)NowhereOnly 2 whole tone scales exist.
Chromatic Scale:½ ½ ½ ... (all half steps)EverywhereOnly 1 chromatic scale exists.