Which mode begins on the second degree of the major scale, with half steps between 2-3 and 6-7?

Which mode begins on the second degree of the major scale, with half steps between 2-3 and 6-7?

• A. Phrygian mode
• B. Lydian mode
• C. Dorian mode
• D. Locrian mode

Answer: (C)

Starting on the second degree of the major scale yields the Dorian mode. Its characteristic interval pattern is whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half, whole, which places half steps between the 2nd and 3rd notes and again between the 6th and 7th notes of the mode. For example, C major gives D E F G A B C D; the half steps occur between E–F and B–C, exactly in those positions. That alignment matches the description, so the mode in question is Dorian. Other modes start on different degrees and have different placements of half steps, so they don’t fit this specific pattern.

Starting on the second degree of the major scale yields the Dorian mode. Its characteristic interval pattern is whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half, whole, which places half steps between the 2nd and 3rd notes and again between the 6th and 7th notes of the mode. For example, C major gives D E F G A B C D; the half steps occur between E–F and B–C, exactly in those positions. That alignment matches the description, so the mode in question is Dorian. Other modes start on different degrees and have different placements of half steps, so they don’t fit this specific pattern.